TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Panic and confusion spread through the halls of Lennard High School Thursday morning after a man reportedly suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound on school property, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
In a tweet, Sheriff Chad Chronister reassured parents, “This is not an active shooter situation and there is no immediate threat to student safety.”
Authorities said a current and former student were handling a gun in a parked car outside the high school when it went off, accidentally striking the adult former student. The adult was then transported to a local hospital for treatment.
As a precaution, the school was placed on lockdown.
As deputies searched the campus for the firearm, the former student was identified as a suspect. He was removed from his classroom and detained. The firearm was eventually found in his vehicle and the lockdown was lifted.
Authorities said the student was arrested for possession of a weapon on school property.
Students were ultimately released from school to the care of their guardians.
“I cannot thank or praise the school administrators enough for their professionalism and sense of urgency in protecting the staff and students here at Lennard High School,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “While this firearm was not brought into the classroom, we take the threat of a firearm on campus very seriously. The safety and security of schools is a top priority.”
