Student caught with gun at Dillard High School made court appearance
MIAMI - A 15-year-old Dillard High School student, reportedly caught with a firearm with blank ammunition in a backpack on campus Thursday, appeared before a judge Friday morning.
Fort Lauderdale Police believe the incident was connected to another development in which a 16-year-old boy went to Broward Health Medical Center just after 9 a.m. and said he had accidentally shot himself near N.W. 11th St. and 24th Ave.
During the court hearing, the attorney for the 15-year-old argued that he may not have known the gun was in the backpack and the backpack may not have been his. He also questioned why the school even checked the bag to begin with.
The prosecutor countered that the teen told law enforcement at the school that he knew that the backpack belonged to his friend, that friend was in the hospital, and that he had grabbed the backpack when it fell to the ground.
The state said the 16-year-old boy who showed up at the hospital with the self-inflicted wound said the gun belonged to his friend - the 15-year-old. The older teen also gave the hospital the address to Dillard High.
Along with the gun, evidence of the shooting and the 16-year-old's clothes were also found in the backpack.
The 15-year-old has been charged with possession of a firearm on school property.
In addition to the charge, the school's principal said the student was facing "appropriate school disciplinary measures." The principal said safety was a "high priority" and said this was a reminder that there are serious consequences for anyone bringing a weapon to school.
On Thursday, students told CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench that they were aware of a lockdown but did not know that it was because a weapon had been discovered. They said they learned about that after school was dismissed for the day.
One student who did not want to give her name said, "I think they should check backpacks. They keep bringing guns to school. And that is a risk to our life."
Another student said "I don't think they should bring violence to schools. School is a place to learn." And one student said "I never thought something like this would happen at our school>
Some parents including Nestor Beaubrun said they were alarmed.
She said, "I am worried. I am very worried. I have a daughter in the 9th grade here and it is worrisome. I want my child to be safe at all times. So I am worried. I am very worried and concerned. I am going to have to call the principal to see what is going on. You have to wonder what is going on at home."
Police said the 16-year-old who was wounded did not have life-threatening injuries.