TAMPA, Fla. — A 16-year-old Tampa high school student is facing charges after authorities say he brought a BB gun to his school's campus.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says one of the agency's school resource deputies received a tip Wednesday morning from a concerned parent about a student bringing a gun to Wharton High School.
After an administrative search, investigators say they found the 16-year-old boy with a CO2 BB gun in his waistband.
The boy also showed off his weapon in his waistband to multiple students, telling others "he always carries a stick" on him.
The teen is charged with one count of possession of a weapon on school property.
10 Tampa Bay is not identifying him due to his age.
"I am absolutely incensed that any student would bring anything resembling a firearm onto school grounds, instilling fear and panic into their peers," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "We take every threat seriously, and I am grateful for the brave students and concerned parent who alerted us, allowing us to take quick action to protect everyone at Wharton High School. Let this serve as a clear message: there are serious consequences for anyone who threatens the safety of our schools."