TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police arrested a teacher and student after a gun-related incident occurred Monday at a middle school.
Gym teacher Akeen Barthol, 32, left his backpack with a loaded handgun inside unsecured in a gym storage room at Sligh Middle Magnet School. A 13-year-old student later took the backpack, without permission, and took it to a nearby bathroom. The teen took personal items from the bag and left the gun and bag behind.
Another student, who used the bathroom after, found the backpack and gun and told the school staff.
"Anytime a gun is found on school property is deeply concerning,” Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. “We are thankful that this incident did not result in tragedy, and we commend the responsible actions taken by the student who discovered the firearm. Our top priority is to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future."
Barthol was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds and allowing a minor to obtain a firearm to possess on school grounds. The teen was charged with grand theft for the firearm.