Teen Stopped with Handgun at Daytona Beach High School

A 16-year-old former student was intercepted Wednesday before entering a high school in Daytona Beach with a handgun, according to local media.

The Mainland High School resource officer (SRO) and “armed guardians” reportedly confronted the former student who had previously attempted to re-enroll in early April after running away from the officer. This student had been expelled in February due to an arrest linked to marijuana possession and vehicle burglary.

Upon searching the individual after the interception, the officer discovered a loaded handgun along with two magazines tucked in the student’s waistband. Interestingly, the school did not go into lockdown as a result of the incident.

WFTV reported that the student was arrested on an outstanding warrant and is facing several charges, including possession of a firearm as a juvenile and possessing a firearm and ammunition on school grounds. It’s noteworthy that having firearms or ammunition on school property violates federal law.

Defense attorney Matthew Boomershine commented on the matter, suggesting that there might be more to the story and expressing a desire to help the young man receive any necessary assistance.

This incident brings to mind prior events, such as the case of Nikolas Cruz, who, before the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, was found with ammunition but never charged. Cruz ultimately killed 17 individuals and was sentenced to life in prison in 2022.

There were additional references to school resource officers who have played critical roles in preventing violence, such as a case in Maryland where an officer stopped a shooting at Great Mills High School.

No immediate comments were available from Volusia County Schools or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida following this incident.