Two teenagers were arrested at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg after police said they found a loaded handgun in one of the student's backpacks.

According to police, the teenage males, ages 16 and 17, broke into the concession stand at the high school's athletic field and were smoking marijuana when they were caught by the school resource officer at around 7 a.m.

The teenagers were taken into custody.  Police said that the officer searched the 16-year-old student's backpack and found the loaded .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun.

School officials sent an automatic phone call out later on Tuesday in which they informed parents about the incident.

"I am calling to notify you that a student was arrested at our school this morning for bringing a weapon and drugs on campus," the call said.

Parents who were picking up their students from school said they were grateful for the attentive officer and a little rattled by the incident.

"The resource officers are very good here," parent Tiffany White said. "That’s a good thing for parents and students.  At least nobody got hurt."

The 16-year-old was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds, carrying a concealed firearm, armed commercial burglary, possession of marijuana and violation of probation.

Police said the student has been in trouble before, including an incident in which he was accused of threatening the assistant principal.

The 17-year-old will be charged with possession of armed commercial burglary, possession of marijuana and trespass on school grounds. Officials said the teenager was actually suspended from school at the time of the arrest, and that he had come on to campus without permission to meet the other teenager.

Bay News 9 is not naming the suspects in accordance with our crime guidelines, as it is not yet know if they will be charged as adults.