***UPDATE****
The following press release was sent out by Superintendent Josh Ingle this afternoon, regarding the incedent with a handgun at Dade County High School this morning:
As stated in the press release earlier this morning, at approximately 8:10AM, a black case that contained an
unloaded handgun was located under a shelf at Dade County High School. The teacher immediately notified
the DCHS Administration and the School Resource Officer (SRO). Once the handgun was secured and in
possession of the SRO, a search was conducted and no additional weapons were found. After the SRO had
taken possession of the firearm, school staff was notified that the handgun was unloaded and ten rounds of
ammunition were stored inside the gun case.
Our goal was to notify the public as quickly as possible while still maintaining the integrity of the investigation.
At this time, the case is active and school officials are not authorized to release specific details pertaining to
criminal investigations. Dade County Schools will always follow protocol and take these situations seriously.
Furthermore, we will continue to work closely with the the Dade County Sheriff’s Office as they conduct their
investigation.
We have requested an additional law enforcement presence throughout the day in addition to the School
Resource Officers. As always, the safety of our students and staff will remain the top priority.
Additionally, the Dade County Sheriff Department released the following statement on their social media page:
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A black box containing an unloaded handgun was found this morning, inside a full classroom at Dade County High School. Superintendent Josh Ingle released the following information to the press after the incident:
“At approximately 8:10AM this morning, a teacher at Dade County High School discovered an unusual box located under a shelf inside the classroom. The teacher immediately notified the DCHS Administration and Law Enforcement. The box contained an unloaded gun and was immediately taken by a Dade County Sheriff’s Officer. The officer, along with other Dade County High School personnel conducted a thorough search of the classroom and no additional weapons or ammunition was found. This incident remains under investigation and we will continue to work with local authorities. All students are safe and there have been no additional disruptions.”
On his weekly appearance on the K-WIN Today program, Superintendent Josh Ingle elaborated that an unnamed teacher noticed black box under a shelf in her classroom while looking for a Chromebook. The teacher called the administration, then law enforcement. Law enforcement opened the box and identified the contents as an unloaded handgun. The weapon has been removed from the school facility; Ingle confirmed the students were evacuated during a search for ammunition or further weaponry. Ingle explained that there was no immediate threat to students; but the weapon has been confiscated and it remains under investigation by the Dade County Sheriff’s Department. He assured that Dade County High School and the school system will cooperate with local authorities during the conduction of their investigation. Ingle says that at this point, there is no knowledge of how long the weapon has been inside the school or that particular classroom.
by Orey Yates
