NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — This whole thing started with a tip. A student told leaders someone had a weapon and they reacted. They secured the campus, and indeed found a weapon.
It was a typical Monday at Fletcher High School until the announcement went out over the public-address system. A student brought a gun to campus.
"As soon as the cops walked in, they were like: get up front. I was like -- what's happening?" said student Jessica Jackson.
Principal Don Nelson immediately jumped into action and sent a notification to parents. He applauded the student/staff communication at the school, and then said:
"Our preliminary investigation supports that we do not feel that our students were in danger.
"Please know that we will continue to assist in this investigation and continue our efforts in maintaining a safe environment for all."
Some parents claim they were in the dark until they picked their child up.
"I got nothing today about a gun or anything being brought to school today," said Sheila Montgomery. "I'm very, very concerned."
Some students Action News spoke with say they, too, hadn't heard about the incident. Regardless, most agree that the teen speaking up and saying what they saw was the best thing to do. There's still a lot of questions, but for now, parents are going to use this as an eye opener.
"I think the parents should be accountable for that," said parent Andrea Jackson.
A Fletcher Middle School parent reached out to us and said this isn't the first incident at the high school this year. She was told a student already brought ammunition.
The Duval County Public Schools police force is investigating Monday's incident. Action News has learned that the student was arrested.