A young child could face criminal charges for bringing a loaded gun to school.

The principal of Panther Run Elementary near Wellington in Palm Beach County says school police recovered a handgun from the student's backpack after the child went to a trusted adult yesterday to report they had discovered the firearm in the bag.

Principal Risa Suarez tells parents that the School District Police Department and local law enforcement are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and that the student is now subject to consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

No word on the age, grade or sex of the student.

Here is the full message sent to parents by Panther Run Principal Risa Suarez:

This message is to inform you about a safety-related incident that occurred at our school.

Today, a student came forward to a trusted adult and reported that they had discovered a dangerous item in their backpack. School Police were immediately involved and safely recovered a loaded handgun from the student’s backpack without incident or disruption to the school day. It was not displayed or used in a threatening manner. The student is now subject to consequences as outlined in our Student Code of Conduct.

The safety of our students and staff remains my highest priority, and Florida law strictly prohibits firearms on school property. School Police, in collaboration with local law enforcement, are conducting a thorough investigation into all circumstances of this incident. This includes determining how the student came into possession of the firearm. The School District will pursue criminal charges as appropriate.

This incident serves as a critical reminder for all of us. Families, we strongly encourage you to make it a regular practice to check your child’s backpack each morning. We also ask that you ensure any items in your home that should not come to school, especially weapons, are always safely and securely stored. We also want to remind everyone that the FortifyFL app is a valuable tool for anonymously reporting any safety concerns.

Because this remains an active investigation with law enforcement, I’m not able to provide additional details at this time. Thank you for your continued partnership in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment at Panther Run Elementary School.

Risa Suarez

Principal

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