Student arrested with gun at John F. Kennedy High School, district confirms

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — A student was taken into custody Thursday after bringing an unloaded gun into John F. Kennedy High School in Riviera Beach, school officials said.

In a call to parents and guardians, the school said that after a tip was reported through the FortifyFL app, school police investigated and removed the gun from a student’s backpack Thursday afternoon “without incident.”

The student was taken into custody and faces criminal charges, as well as “strict discipline” outlined in the Palm Beach County School District’s student code of conduct, the appeal states.

The appeal added that “all students and staff are safe.”

“Families, I strongly recommend that you check your student’s backpack before they leave in the morning,” the appeal states.

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Under Florida law, possessing a firearm on school property is a third-degree felony.

“The school district is committed to ensuring a safe learning and working environment for all students and staff, and disciplinary action will be taken against any student or individual who poses a threat to school safety,” the appeal states.

Students, parents and school staff are encouraged to use the free FortifyFL app to report suspicious activity involving local schools.