VIRGINIA KEY, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have taken three teenage boys into custody after responding to reports of armed men outside Maritime and Science Technology Academy, but investigators said this was all a misunderstanding.
Miami-Dade Police said their officers were called to the scene, located at 3979 Rickenbacker Causeway, to assist with a report of some possibly armed subjects near the school, at around 3 p.m., Wednesday.
About an hour later, 7SkyForce HD hovered above the school as officers took the subjects away in handcuffs.
Officials said the initial report described three males walking near campus with a rifle, but according to Miami-Dade Schools Police, the teens were carrying Airsoft guns, so they never posed a danger.
Investigators said the teens had trespassed on campus to reach a wooded area nearby. Someone spotted them and called 911.
Officers surrounded the school and located the three teens.
Cameras captured a police officer confiscating the teens’ Airsoft guns.
Gilberto Castro, the father of a MAST Academy student, said he’s glad police take these situations seriously.
“Anything with a gun, they should be taking responsibility, and seeing that many cops, I like to see that they take it seriously,” he said.
Officials said the teens are all under 18 years old. Since they are juveniles, they were given a warning and released.
One of the teens apologized for the confusion.
“I’m just sorry for everyone losing their time about this. I’m sorry,” he said.
The teen declined to comment further on the incident.
School officials said Wednesday was a planning day for teachers at MAST Academy, but they had already left by the time the teens approached the campus.
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