MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested a 13-year-old female Miami gardens middle school student after she allegedly pointed a loaded gun at classmates, who were only saved because the gun jammed, according to police.
In addition to the teen’s arrest, an adult at her house was arrested for not properly securing the weapon. The adult was later identified as 32-year-old Kerry Watkins.
The incident took place before the start of classes at Carol City Middle School, Wednesday. A juvenile court judge ordered the 13-year-old, Thursday morning, to house arrest with an ankle monitor.
UPDATE: juvenille court judge gives 13 y/o student house arrest w/ ankle monitor after cops say she brought a gun to Carol City Middle @wsvn
— Omar Lewis (@OmarLewisTv) December 1, 2016
Sources also told 7News surveillance video of the incident shows the girl coming out of an office and pointing the gun at three students. The students started to flee, and she chased after them before she was stopped by a school official. The official was able to take the gun from her and Miami-Dade School Board police later took her into custody.
Danny Lopez, a student at the school, said he knew something was wrong when an announcement was made. “They did announce it, that everyone should be at the library,” he said.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools released a statement which read, “The quick-thinking actions of school staff helped avert a potential tragedy today at Carol City Middle School. This morning, before the start of the school day, a female student was arrested for possession of a weapon. This unfortunate situation could have been prevented if the weapon, which she brought from home, would have been properly secured. An adult male relative of the student was also arrested and has been charged with failing to secure a weapon. We are grateful to our courageous staff who took immediate, life-saving action. We want to remind every parent and member of our community that storing firearms properly can potentially save lives. It is not only prudent, but a legal requirement.”
An investigation is now underway and school police have increased their presence at the school.
Told about the news, parent Jaqueline Entzminger was perplexed. “These kids nowadays,” she said. “I don’t know what’s going on. Is it bullying? Is it they don’t get along with this person or that person?”
When told about the increased police presence, Entzminger gasped. “Oh my God,” she said. “I just told my babies back there that if something like that happened, it had to be either a gun or a knife.”
This incident comes after four students at Norland High School were arrested when a loaded gun was found on that campus. No injuries were reported in the case, either.
While Watkins has bonded out of jail, the girl has been charged with attempted assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed firearm, exhibiting a concealed firearm and improper exhibition of a firearm.
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