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St. Pete Police: Gun Found In Student's Bag

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - A 15-year-old girl was arrested today after a teacher spotted a handgun in the girl's book bag at Gibbs High School, St. Petersburg police said.

Melanie Hernandez, of 2111 13th St. S., was charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds, police spokesman George Kajtsa said. She was taken to the Pinellas County juvenile assessment center.

Hernandez, a ninth-grader, was retrieving a folder from the book bag when the teacher saw the girl move the gun inside the book bag to get at the folder, Kajtsa said.

The teacher tried contacting the campus police officer, but he was tied up with a student suspected of stealing a car, Kajtsa. The teacher contacted an administrator who in turn contacted the principal, and the campus police officer eventually got involved.

On Saturday night, Hernandez had invited Shaneka R. Jackson, 21, of St. Petersburg, to spend the night at the Hernandez household, Kajtsa said. Jackson brought the firearm with her, which she said she got from an uncle, Kajtsa said.

Hernandez at some point left the room and Jackson, to hide the gun, shoved it into Hernandez's book bag, Kajtsa said. The two forgot about the gun by the time Jackson went home the following day, Kajtsa said.

Hernandez said she inadvertently brought the weapon to school today, Kajtsa said.

Jackson was also arrested today on a charge of furnishing a firearm to a minor, the spokesman said. She was taken to the Pinellas County Jail.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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