INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — More details have emerged in the arrest of a Vero Beach freshman, after a loaded gun was found in a student’s locker at a local school Monday.
Other guns were recovered over the weekend, highlighting the need for more gun security and safety, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
A loaded firearm was recovered at the Vero Beach High School Freshman Learning Center, authorities said. A 15-year-old has been arrested, but has not been identified.
Two students, who wished to remain anonymous, provided written statements to school administration that they were in fear of their school bus being shot at, according to the suspect’s arrest affidavit. Both of those students witnessed the suspect brandish a weapon a week or two ago.
In the statement, the students wrote the suspect was heard saying something was going “to go down today” after school at the bus pick-up, according to the report. On Monday, he was located and staff searched his belongings. They found a silver and black semi-automatic firearm in the front pants pocket of blue jeans found in the defendant’s gym locker.
“Vero Beach High School administrators coordinated their efforts with local law enforcement, acting on information they received from students,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell in a statement released by the School District. “The administration acted quickly to ensure the safety of the students and everyone on campus.”
Monday evening, detectives followed up with students and teachers after Indian River County School Resource deputies recovered a firearm at the Freshman Learning Center that afternoon, according to the report.
“We are greatly concerned about the number of guns we are finding in the wrong hands,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “We implore gun owners to take every measure possible to secure your firearms and help us keep them out of the hands of criminals and children. I have been working closely with Indian River County School Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell to ensure the safety of our children each and every school day. We will have an increase in our staff at schools tomorrow and continue one of our most important missions, to protect the children of our county.”
Over the weekend, during two separate incidents, deputies recovered handguns in criminal incidents that were not on Indian River County School properties, according to the release.
Saturday evening, Dep. Ryan Holly attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle which led to the driver fleeing on foot and abandoning a handgun from his waistband into the woods, according to authorities.
The loaded gun was recovered and the driver, identified as Marquis Brown, 28, of Gifford, was charged with felony fleeing to elude, resisting arrest without violence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.
Brown is currently being held without bond as he was on probation for gun related convictions.
Later that evening, Dep. Paul Mewborn recovered a small caliber handgun in the pocket of Arzie Tory, 52, of Gifford, following a disturbance at the American Legion, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Tory was charged with felony carrying of a concealed weapon, before posting $5,000 bond.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has received a number of reports recently where firearms were taken from unlocked vehicles.
Gun locks are available for free from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Free gun locks and information are available in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office during business hours.
