- January 31, 2025
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The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 13-year-old student at Buddy Taylor Middle School after he brought a realistic-looking BB gun to school.
According to an FCSO press release, on Jan. 29, school officials overheard two students talking about a student who had a gun. The student was brought to the dean’s office. School officials found a replica Glock 18C BB gun in his backpack.
BTMS School Resource Deputy Jordan Taylor was then contacted. Deputy Taylor observed that the BB gun had its orange tip removed making it appear to be a real firearm.
The student told Taylor that he was being bullied and brought the BB gun to school to protect himself. He said he had not informed any school staff that he was being bullied because he did not believe they would do anything about it.
Taylor explained to the student the consequences of bringing a weapon to school and informed him the incident could have been much worse had he brandished the weapon. The student later said he was not thinking and realized he had made a mistake.
During the investigation, it was determined that the student's parent had purchased the BB gun for him thinking it was a toy. Florida law requires that anyone under 16 may only use a BB gun under supervision by an adult.
The student was arrested for possession of a weapon or firearm on school property and possession of a BB gun under the age of 16. He was takento the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and later released to his parents.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that this child felt he needed to protect himself, but bringing a weapon to school, even it is not real, is not the solution,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “In the last two weeks we have made multiple arrests of students. Parents need to know and understand the law on BB guns and never remove or paint over the orange caps that tell others the ‘gun’ is a replica. This could have had a tragic and deadly outcome. I commend the school faculty that ‘heard something, said something’ and took immediate action.”
“Flagler Schools prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” the district said in a statement that was included in the FCSO press release. “We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to uphold a safe learning environment for all.”
