Student detained after replica gun found at Fletcher High School

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – Officers on Wednesday afternoon were dispatched to Fletcher High School after a report of someone armed with a handgun, according to the Neptune Beach Police Department.

A student was detained, according to a message sent to parents from Principal Dean Ledford. Officers determined it wasn’t a gun, but a plastic toy.

“While this thankfully was not a real weapon, any type of replica, even if it is a toy, is prohibited on school campuses and will result in student discipline,” Ledford said in a call to parents.

Ledford thanked the students who got the attention of administrators and asked parents to continue encouraging their children to say something if they see something.

DCPS noted in a response to News4JAX that there was no arrest.

News4JAX spoke with a junior at Fletcher High, who asked not to be identified.

“One thing though me and a few friends did have a concern about was that we as students weren’t directly notified or put on lockdown. Only parents received a robocall,” the student said.

Leighton Serlow’s son goes to Fletcher High School and heard the news from a friend.

“Unfortunately what went through my head was, oh, of course, again. Here we go with another threat at the school,” Serlow said.

Serlow said even though police discovered it was a replica gun -- it’s still concerning.


About the Author

Renee Beninate is a Florida native and award-winning reporter who joined the News4Jax team in June 2021.

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