News Summary
The Leon County School District is experiencing heightened safety concerns following multiple weapon-related incidents. A recent arrest involved a student with an illegally modified firearm during a football game, marking the fourth such occurrence in a week. Additional arrests of students for firearm possession on school grounds have raised alarms about school safety policies. School officials emphasize their zero-tolerance policy on weapons and urge parental involvement to address these threats effectively.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Safety concerns have heightened in the Leon County School District following a series of weapon-related incidents, culminating in the arrest of another student for firearm possession on campus. On August 22, 2025, during a football game between Rickards and Godby high schools at Gene Cox Stadium, a 17-year-old male was apprehended with an illegally modified firearm capable of fully automatic fire, marking the fourth weapon-related occurrence within a week.
The incident began when police observed the adolescent brandishing a handgun and making threatening gestures towards another individual. This alarming behavior prompted a brief pursuit, ultimately leading to the student’s arrest. The subsequent investigation uncovered a second weapon that was fitted with a device to make it fully automatic, classified as both illegal and particularly dangerous.
The 17-year-old faces multiple charges, including possession of a firearm by a delinquent, carrying a concealed firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, and resisting without violence. School officials indicated that the suspect was likely not a local resident, raising additional concerns about the origins of firearms present on school grounds.
In a related incident on the same day, a 15-year-old student from Godby High School was arrested for possessing an unloaded firearm on campus. The firearm was discovered alongside ammunition found in the student’s backpack after they left class without permission and were located by school personnel. The young offender has been charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of a weapon on school property.
Adding to the troubling trend, a 17-year-old girl from Rickards High School was also arrested on the same day after school officials received an anonymous tip regarding her possession of a lawful taser and pepper spray, which she claimed to have for personal defense.
Earlier in the month, a student from Lincoln High School was arrested for having a loaded handgun in their vehicle parked on campus. These incidents come shortly after the commencement of the school year, underscoring ongoing safety issues confronting Leon County Schools. Altogether, there were at least 17 arrests across school campuses within the district in the 2024-25 school year, with ten of those being weapon-related.
The Leon County School District maintains a zero-tolerance policy concerning drugs, weapons, and threats. In response to the increasing number of incidents, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office has encouraged parents to engage their children in open discussions about the importance of adhering to these policies and the potential consequences of bringing weapons onto school property.
To further enhance safety, the district is advocating for proactive communication and encourages students and parents to utilize reporting tools such as the FortifyFL app to report any suspicious activities. School administrators have been acknowledged for their swift actions regarding weapon-related incidents and ensuring that the safety of students remains a top priority.
As the district grapples with these challenges, officials are committed to fostering a safe learning environment for all students in their care. The frequency of these alarming incidents highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among students, parents, and law enforcement, ultimately aiming to prevent further occurrences and reinforce school safety throughout Leon County.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Teen Arrested, Weapons Recovered Outside Rickards-Godby Football Game
- Tallahassee.com: Rickards High Teen Arrested with Pepper Spray, Taser in Purse
- Tallahassee.com: Tallahassee High School Student Arrested After Gun Found in Backpack
- New York Times: FSU Shooting Suspect & Victims
- Tallahassee.com: 19-Year-Old Leon High School Student Arrested with Weapon Hatchet
- Wikipedia: School Safety
- Google Search: School Safety
- Google Scholar: School Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- Google News: School Safety
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
