Lauderdale Lakes

Teen Arrested After Bringing Loaded Gun to Boyd Anderson High: BSO

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A 14-year-old was arrested after he brought a loaded gun to Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes Friday morning, creating a frightening situation for students and teachers, officials said.

Broward Sheriff's Office officials said deputies responded to the school around 8:30 a.m. and placed it on a code red lockdown as a precaution.

BSO officials said the teen, a Lauderdale Lakes Middle School student who had been suspended, snuck into Boyd Anderson with the gun. The agency has not revealed what his motive may have been.

School officials said a student alerted them about a possible weapon on campus, and the school's resource officer and security were able to confiscate the weapon.

“I’m just glad that the student did say something and they were brave enough to say something, because it could’ve been a whole lot worse, like a Stoneman Douglas incident, and I’m just glad that everybody’s child is OK,” said Antilea Mobley, a parent of two Boyd Anderson students. 

"The tip from the witness and the deputy’s quick response averted what could have been an extremely dangerous and potentially violent incident," Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said in a statement. "The men and women of this agency have worked hard to reinforce to our community the importance of seeing something and saying something. I commend the person who had the courage to speak up and the deputy who responded without hesitation to confront this possible threat."

Officials said the teen would be charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor, trespassing on school grounds and disruption of a school function.

A person was detained and a weapon was recovered after a report of a student with a gun at Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes Friday morning, officials said.

“It’s a really good sign and I’m glad the kids are utilizing the see something, say something principle because we know that we can prevent tragic events,” said Max Schachter of the Safe Schools for Alex foundation. 

Schachter became a school safety expert after his son, Alex, was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre.

“We also have to ask ourselves, why did this child bring a gun to school? Why are so many kids bringing guns to school? it’s really upsetting,” Schachter said. “We know that in all of these instances the home life factors happening in these kids’ lives, after school, on the weekends, when they get home from school, has a huge impact on what they’re bringing on to campus.”

One student we spoke to echoed that same sentiment as we discussed safety on campus.

“Sometimes, you have to be worried about your safety at school because you don’t know what type of environment other people are coming from and you don’t know what baggage they’re carrying with them to school,” said Jabari Diggs, a junior at Boyd Anderson. 

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