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3rd-Grader Arrested After Bringing Gun To Gulf Beaches Elementary

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2007

ST. PETE BEACH - An 11-year-old boy was arrested after he brought a loaded semi-automatic handgun to Gulf Beaches Elementary School on Monday, a school district representative said today.

The third-grader apparently brought the gun to show off to other students, spokeswoman Andrea Zahn said. The boy showed some bullets to another student, who in turn told an administrator, she said.

The incident happened outside a classroom before the start of school and was quickly dealt with, she said.

"Early indications are the student did not intend to threaten anyone and no one was in jeopardy,'' Zahn said. "It was a matter of this student bringing this item more in a manner of showing it off.''

The boy was arrested and taken to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center, Zahn said. The case is being referred to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office for possible prosecution, she said.

Parents learned of the incident in a letter from Principal Tony Pleshe sent home with students Monday afternoon. The incident remains under investigation by campus police and details such as where the boy got the weapon and how he brought it to school undetected were not immediately available.

Gulf Beaches Elementary, 8600 Boca Ciega Drive, is a small, kindergarten through fifth-grade school with about 350 students.

"This type of incident is very rare,'' Zahn said. "And we appreciate the quick thinking of the student who reported it to the administration.''

She suggested that parents reinforce the message to their children that if they see something they know is wrong or makes them feel unsafe, they should report it to an adult immediately.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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