A Florida high school student is being hailed as a hero after alerting police of a classmate who had a gun on his school bus.
The 18-year-old Brandon Alternative School student noticed the gun around 8:35 a.m. Feb. 10 and texted a relative, who contacted police, according to wtsp.com.
The 18-year-old then continued to text updates to the relative, including the suspect’s description and where he was hiding his gun, as police located the school bus.
When police caught the bus and pulled it over, they were able to evacuate all seven students on board before searching the bus. Police found a 9mm pistol magazine with 12 rounds and a ski mask in the bus, according to a spokesperson with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Police determined the gun belonged to Jamarcus Simms, 18, a fellow student at the school. Charges are still pending for Simms, although he has a criminal history.
An official with the Hillsborough County School District said the district is grateful for the student’s brave actions, which may have averted a tragedy.
