SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A student who was arrested for allegedly bringing an unloaded firearm to his high school in Southwest Miami-Dade appeared in court.
The teen, who attends Southwest Miami High School, faced a judge in children’s court Monday afternoon.
7News cameras captured the student’s mother in tears during the hearing, after she learned he will remain in secure detention for now.
Police took the boy into custody on Friday, after a classmate reported him to school officials.
Cellphone video shows the student being led away in handcuffs.
“It’s scary, definitely, to know that anybody could just have [a gun on campus] at any time,” said student Robert Larson.
“Especially with the past, it really concerns me because we could all be in danger,” said student Thalia Perez.
According to a spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, just before dismissal on Friday, a student saw something suspicious and said something to an adult.
Police got involved, searched the student, found the gun in his backpack and took him into custody.
Parents of Southwest Miami High students said they received an automated call and an email about the arrest, Monday morning.
“I was in shock when I received the message,” said parent Ivette Diaz.
Some parents said it’s time for the school to take more steps to keep guns off campus.
“Metal detectors. That’s what needs to be done,” said parent Emily Padron. “More cops inside the school, more people checking the bags, ’cause you don’t know.”
“Unfortunately, I think metal detectors will help to reinforce more the security,” echoed Diaz, “but it’s just something that is also coming from the house. Parents should be looking to what they have at home and how can the children just walk out of the house with a weapon.”
Miami-Dade Public Schools spokesperson Jackie Calzadilla issued a statement that read in part, “Thanks to the actions of a responsible and alert student who reported suspicious activity, Miami-Dade Schools Police officers were able to identify and locate a student who had an unloaded weapon in his backpack. That student was arrested and charged accordingly.”
The State Attorney’s Office announced they are attempting to determine whether the student will be charged as an adult.
It remains unknown what the student’s intentions were or what charges he may face. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 19.
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