PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) - Police arrested a former student at a Pembroke Pines high school after, officials said, he was caught on school property with a firearm and bullets, Thursday morning.
According to Pembroke Pines Police, security personnel at Charles W. Flanagan High School summoned two resource officers regarding the former student, whom they saw trespassing on campus, just after 9 a.m. As the officers approached the teen, they recognized him as Major Charneil Byrd.
When Byrd spotted the officers, investigators said, Byrd, seen wearing a hoodie, began to walk toward the school’s main building. One of the officers apprehended the 18-year-old by grabbing his backpack as he was walking away.
While handcuffing the subject, one of the officers noticed one of his hands was inside his pant pocket. While searching the teen’s waistband, the officers retrieved a Glock 19 9 mm gun with a 31-round magazine containing 11 bullets.
Police said the teen refused to answer any questions. He was then placed under arrest.
Michael Heywood, a Flanagan student, told 7News rumors were swirling after school. “On the bus, everybody was talking about it, about how somebody brought something to school, and an undercover came and arrested him,” he said.
His mother. Georgia Heywood, said she was disturbed by the arrest. “We live in a safe neighborhood. I always take that for granted, especially when I send him to school. I feel like he’s in a safe haven,” she said, “but hearing about a gun loaded, of course that would make any parent uncomfortable.”
It remains unknown what Byrd’s intentions may have been, but police said a potential tragedy could have been thwarted.
The teen was later transported to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail, where he is being held on $20,00 bond.
Authorities continue to investigate.
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