LAKELAND – A 16-year-old Tenoroc High School student was arrested on campus Wednesday after a school resource deputy found a loaded gun in her backpack.
Terrika Nichole Whitfield, a freshman with a criminal history, was transported to the Polk County Juvenile Assessment Center in Bartow, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Whitfield was charged with possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent, possession of a weapon on school grounds and possession of a concealed firearm, all felonies. Other charges include possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number and resisting arrest.
Authorities were tipped off by students who noticed a gun tucked into Whitfield’s waistband, the news release said. Administrators at the Lakeland high school immediately notified a school resource deputy who was directed by a teacher to Whitfield’s backpack.
The deputy discovered a 9 mm pistol within the backpack, the release said. The gun had one round in the magazine, and a second round in the chamber. The gun’s serial number had been scratched off.
In a prepared statement, Polk School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd thanked those involved in the quick recovery of a weapon on school property.
“Through their efforts, the firearm was recovered before anyone could be threatened or injured. We will continue to cooperate with our partners in law enforcement to ensure our schools are safe places for learning.”
Whitfield currently is on probation for battery on a law enforcement officer and assault. Her criminal history includes arrests for battery on an education employee, petty theft, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia and violation of probation, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Eric Pera can be reached at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528.