The Tampa Police Department arrested a student for having a firearm on a school campus on Wednesday.
On January 18, 2023, at approximately 11:30 a.m. a student notified Blake High School administrative staff that, Damari Morales, 16, may have a firearm in his possession. The school resource officer on campus and school security were immediately notified.
Morales was approached by both the school resource officer and school security in his classroom and escorted out to the hallway. Once in the hallway, they located a loaded handgun concealed in his waistband. Morales did not make any threats to the school or other students. He advised that he obtained the firearm from his home. Morales was arrested and is now facing a charge of possession of a firearm on school property (felony).
The Tampa Police Department's "Project Locked and Unloaded" offers free gun locks at any district office listed below or at police headquarters. Gun owners are urged to use the program to properly safeguard their firearms.
District 1
3818 W Tampa Bay Blvd
Tampa, FL 33614
District 2
9330 N 30th St
Tampa, FL 33612
District 3
3808 N 22nd St
Tampa, FL 33610
Headquarters
411 N Franklin St
Tampa, FL 33602