Deputies: 15-year-old student arrested after bringing loaded gun to school

CITRA, Fla. — Deputies in Marion County have arrested a 15-year-old boy who is accused of bringing a loaded gun to school on Friday.

A school resource officer at North Marion High School arrested 10th grader Jesse Jenkins Jr. for possession of a firearm on school property and carrying a concealed weapon, according to a report.

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Deputies said the officer received a tip that Jenkins was in possession of a loaded firearm while at school.

A deputy and the school’s assistant principal, Michael Fritch, removed Jenkins from class and brought him to a teacher’s office.

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Deputies said while searching his backpack, Jenkins became nervous and refused to allow them to search his crossbody bag.

As the deputy searched the bag, he found a loaded semi-automatic firearm inside, according to a report.

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According to a report, Jenkins said he “had the gun because kids were trying to jump him.”

Deputies said Jenkins was arrested and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Marion County.

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