Guns found at 2 Duval County schools

18-year-old arrested in Wolfson High incident

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County School Board police are investigating after guns were found at JEB Stuart Middle School on Thursday afternoon and in a Wolfson High School student's car near campus in the morning.

According to a Duval County Schools spokeswoman, a student told administration at JEB Stuart that a child had a gun. No other details were provided, other than to say no students were threatened or harmed and the incident was under investigation.

The spokeswoman said a weapon on campus could lead to expulsion.

School officials have not released any information about the Wolfson incident, but News4Jax was told by a reliable source that a student tipped off authorities that another student had guns in a car.

The source said officers tracked down the student, who had a key to a Lexus in his pocket. Officers found the car parked at an apartment complex next to the school and found two loaded handguns and 10 to 15 grams of marijuana packaged for sale in the car.

Authorities also said the car was stolen.

Jail records said the school board police arrested 18-year-old Timothy Hayes and charged him with car theft and resisting police. News4Jax is told Hayes is part of Wolfson's Bridges to Success program that often helps older, troubled students finish school.

News4Jax has been told this was the third time a Wolfson student was caught with a gun this school year.

"I think it's sad those kids carry guns to school," said George Drye, a concerned citizen. "I think the parents probably don't know anything about it. I think it's just sad, and something needs to be done about it."

In the past week, guns were also found on campus at Chaffee Trail Elementary and Fletcher High School.

News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said reporting a gun is a must for kids, even if it seems unpopular.

"We've heard about this happening twice so far this year. But in both cases I've seen something that I like and that is students are reporting this to administrators. They are letting someone know and they are getting the weapon and that's great," Smith said. "When I was a school resource officer, at the beginning of the year, I would let the students know at assemblies some of the laws that they may not be aware of. You can be expelled from school and this could affect your future."