Deputies arrest 16-year-old Spoto High student after gun found in backpack
The Sheriff's Office says an anonymous tip led the school resource deputy to search the student's backpack Monday morning. The gun had been reported stolen in Pasco County.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY - Hillsborough County deputies arrested a 16-year-old Spoto High School student Monday morning, Nov. 9, after a firearm was found in his backpack on campus, the Sheriff's Office said in a release Monday.
The school resource deputy assigned to Spoto High received an anonymous tip through the Tip411 system at 8:20 a.m., according to the release. The tip alleged the student had been involved in burglarizing vehicles, stealing firearms and bringing weapons onto school grounds.
When the student arrived on campus, the deputy met him and walked him to the school office, the release said. A search of his backpack turned up a firearm in a zippered pocket, along with a loaded magazine holding eight rounds, kept separate from the gun.
A records check showed the firearm had been reported stolen in Pasco County in March 2025, the Sheriff's Office said.
The student was charged with possession of a weapon on school property, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor and carrying a concealed firearm, according to the release.
“Weapons have no place on our school campuses,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the release, crediting the anonymous tipster and the deputy's quick response. The Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing.
Source: HCSO release 26-188: Spoto High School student arrested after firearm found inside backpack, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Nov. 9; opened Nov. 9). The student is a juvenile and is not named.