Father Speaks About Son Who Took Gun To NW Dade School
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The father of a student who took a gun to his NW Miami-Dade school admits his son has some serious mental health issues and needs help.
"It's hard being dad. I have been through the system. I know he's a good kid but he needs help. My kid has been messed up all his life," said the boys' father, Everett Bradley. "The hope I have is that he receives the help he needs. He's bipolar. He's on medication. He's been baker acted at school."
However, Bradley doesn't believe his son would have ever used the gun he brought to school.
"Jan Mann, what type of school is that?" asked CBS4's Peter D'Oench.
"It's an opportunity school. That's what they put him at," said Bradley.
The school's website says Jan Mann Opportunity School caters to disruptive, disinterested and truant 6th through 12th graders.
CLICK HERE To Watch Peter D'Oench's Report
Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Ian Moffett says a tip paid off about the 18-year-old accused of bringing a gun to Jan Mann Opportunity School on Wednesday.
"Yesterday we received a tip from our 'See Something, Say Something Campaign,' a campaign that we're very proud of and based on the tip we were able to take that firearms off a student that had that firearm.
"At the end of the day we need to make sure that everybody secures their firearm. More importantly, we need to make sure that young people don't have firearms on them," said Moffett.
A new report revealed 18-year-old Jalen Bradley had a firearm in his waistband and tried to run away when confronted by police. It's reported he even attempted to grab a schools police officer's weapon.
Jalen Bradley allegedly confessed he planned to shoot two security monitors at the school, saying he stole the firearm from a woman who was parked outside a Winn Dixie supermarket.
Jalen Bradley was supposed to be in court for a hearing on Thursday, but it was rescheduled for Friday because he was allegedly "disruptive with officers at the jail."
"I feel messed up for my son and I feel bad for the school itself," said Everett Bradley.
Everett Bradley told D'Oench his son took the gun to school to show off.
But the gun on campus is not the only problem following Jalen Bradley.
According to Everett Bradley, the 18-year-old also has some domestic problems tied to him and his 12-year-old brother.
The young man also faces a slew of charges including battery on a police officer who was injured and attempted felony murder.
"I am looking forward to him getting mental help with his mental problems," said Everett Bradley.
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