A 15-year-old student was arrested on Friday for allegedly bringing a loaded gun to North Marion Middle School.
On September 17, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer at North Marion Middle School (NMHS) arrested 10th grader Jesse Jenkins Jr. for possession of a firearm on school property.
Deputy Jon Allen, the MCSO School Resource Officer for NMHS, received information that Jenkins was in possession of a loaded firearm while at the school, which is located at 2085 West Hwy 329 in Citra.
Deputy Allen made contact with NMHS Assistant Principal, Michael Fritch, informing him of the tip. Deputy Allen and Assistant Principal Fritch promptly removed Jenkins from class and brought him to a teacher’s office.
Assistant Principal Fritch began to search Jenkins’ backpack. Jenkins then became nervous and refused to allow Assistant Principal Fritch to search his crossbody bag. Deputy Allen observed an item in the shape of a firearm inside of the crossbody bag. Deputy Allen then immediately searched the crossbody bag and found a loaded semi-automatic firearm inside.
Jenkins was arrested and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice.