A student was arrested after they were found with a weapon on the campus of John A. Ferguson Senior High School in southwest Miami-Dade, officials said.
Parents at the school along Southwest 56th Street near 157th Avenue received a voicemail from the principal saying there were reports of the student having a weapon on campus.
Miami-Dade Schools Police arrested the student, the voicemail said.
“Today an incident involving possession of a weapon was reported at the school,” the message said. “Miami-Dade Schools Police Department in conjunction with the school administration conducted a thorough investigation and arrested the student. Please know that the safety and security of your child is of utmost importance.”
Miami-Dade County Public Schools confirmed the weapon was found on campus and an arrest was made, and later confirmed the weapon was a gun.
“No threats were made, and thanks to a report via FortifyFL, Miami-Dade Schools Police swiftly investigated and made an arrest. Tools such as these continue to be vital in keeping our schools and communities safe,” the district said in a statement. “M-DCPS urges students and the community to report any suspicious activity. At M-DCPS, the safety and well-being of all students remain our highest priority. All reports will be taken seriously and may lead to life-altering consequences.”
Students said an announcement instructed everyone to stay in their classrooms. One parent, speaking in Spanish, told NBC6 she sends her child to school to learn, not to risk their life, and that she no longer feels confident children are safe on campus.
Other students claimed the student who was detained may have planned to start a fight during lunch and “shoot out the whole lunch.” They also alleged security and police found a list of names along with the weapon.
The district did not release any additional information about the student, including his name or grade level.