PALM COAST, Fla. — An eighth-grade student is facing felony charges Friday after he allegedly brought a stolen, loaded gun to Buddy Taylor Middle School in his backpack.
- Middle school student accused of bringing stolen firearm to school
- Student was also arrested in November 2017
The 14-year-old is facing the following charges: Exhibiting a weapon on school property, grand theft of a firearm, and interfering with a school function.
We are not identifying the Palm Coast teen in accordance to our crime guidelines because he is a minor.
The student was previously arrested in November 2017 after he was seen holding a girl in a chokehold.
“It is time that this kid is dealt with serious penalties by the court system and the Department of Juvenile Justice before someone gets seriously hurt or killed,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “His crimes are escalating, and he is on track to grow up and be an adult offender and spend his adult life in prison.”
The firearm recovered was a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun stolen in April from an unlocked car in Palm Coast.
The student who came forward and the teacher who reported the incident are being praised for speaking up.