Firearm Found on St. Lucie School Campus

St. Lucie County, Fl (treasurecoast.com)-Sheriff Ken Mascara announced today that 16-year-old Nathaniel Thomas Moran-Valentin of Port St. Lucie was arrested at the Dale Cassens Education Complex (1905 S. 11th Street, Fort Pierce) for bringing a stolen gun to campus.

“Thanks to the partnership between school staff, school resource deputies and school security, immediate action was taken to locate a weapon on campus prior to the start of the school day,” said Chief Deputy Brian Hester. “The student involved has been arrested and in addition to criminal charges will also face consequences based on the School District’s Code of Conduct.”

The unloaded firearm was found inside a garbage can and traced back to the student who admitted to bringing it to school today

“Ensuring the safety of those who step foot on our school campuses has been a longstanding commitment by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office,” Hester said. “Our hand-in-hand partnership between SRDs, faculty, staff and students is what allows situations such as this to be swiftly and effectively handled and allows us to maintain a safe campus.

Moran-Valentin was charged with possession of a weapon on school property, theft of a firearm and violation of probation. He was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice Detention Center in Fort Pierce.

“Parents, please use this as an opportunity to remind your student about the importance of school safety,” Hester said. “Not only should they know that there is zero tolerance for bringing or threatening to bring a firearm to school, but they should also feel comfortable reporting any information they may have that compromises their safety and the safety of others.”