NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Four South Florida high school students appeared in court, Saturday, one day after they were arrested for allegedly bringing a loaded gun to campus.
The teens, three males and one female, sat shackled in a Miami courtroom as they faced a judge in bond court. They are all students at Norland Senior High School in Miami Gardens.
The girl’s mother fought tears outside the courtroom after learning her daughter and the other teens would have to stay in secured detention. “She’s an honor student. She’s never been in no trouble,” she said.
7News cameras captured Miami-Dade Schools Police officers placing the teens in squad cars outside the school and taking them away, Friday.
School officials said they learned about the loaded weapon thanks to an anonymous tip through the “See Something, Say Something” program.
Concerned parents were disturbed by the arrests. “Kids bringing guns to school? I’m scared,” said Alaiya Smith.
“That’s just dangerous, period. It’s not good,” said Annette Johnson.
The high school, located along Northwest 193rd Street, was placed on lockdown, Friday morning, as police made a security sweep.
7News obtained an exclusive picture of the loaded handgun.
All four students have been charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds.
The girl’s mother told 7News her daughter had nothing to do with the firearm being brought onto school property. “I feel like my daughter shouldn’t be there at all, period,” she said. “She’s 15 years old. She don’t need to go down for no gun charge. She didn’t bring no weapon to school.”
But the judge didn’t see it that way, and decided against granting the teens house arrest.
Family members of the male students stayed tight-lipped after learning their children would be kept away from home.
Meanwhile the 15-year-old girl’s mother maintains her daughter is innocent. “I don’t have guns in my house, and she knows the severity of that,” she said. “For them to try and pin that on her, that’s not right. All them boys, she’s the only girl. It just don’t sit well with me.”
Another female student was detained and questioned on Friday, but she was not charged.
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