The Tampa Police Department arrested a middle school student on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, after locating a gun in his backpack on campus.
The school resource officer at Franklin Middle School, located at 3915 E 21st Ave in Tampa, was advised by an anonymous student that Dezmond Styles, 13, was possibly in possession of a firearm and showing it to other students.
The officer and school staff located the student in the cafeteria, and he was escorted to a discrete room, adjacent to the cafeteria. After searching Styles' backpack, the officer located a loaded semi-automatic pistol, which Styles said he brought from his home for protection. No threats were made to the school or any students.
Styles was arrested for possession of a firearm on school property (felony) and minor in possession of a firearm. He was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) without incident.