LEESBURG, Fla. — When the city of Leesburg got a tip from a business owner who said he saw school-age children packing guns, officials immediately took action.
Officers were warned to be on the lookout and the police department alerted the community by posting a message on Facebook, saying parents need to make sure their children don't have weapons because "the result of a child carrying a gun, or simulated gun, can be catastrophic."
"In light of recent national events, we found it very important to reach out to the public," Leesburg City Commissioner John Christian said.
Christian also urged parents to make sure they keep guns out of the hands of their kids.
"We do not need any confrontations with law enforcement officers or juveniles shooting each other over foolishness," he said.
Police have also shared the information with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, and now school resource officers are on high alert at Leesburg High School, as well as Carver Heights and Oak Park middle schools.
Parent Shelly Casher said the news is scary.
"It's a shame that you can't even send your kids to school and know what's going to happen at the end of the day," Casher said.
She said she is relieved that someone let police know what was going on.
"Whatever citizen that was, you know, thank God," she said.
WFTV
