A 14-year-old was charged after Lakeland police said he brought a stolen gun onto the campus of a school.

  • Student taken into custody Wednesday
  • Gun magazine found at school contained 12 rounds

The incident happened Wednesday at Southwest Middle School on Eden Parkway.

The handgun, a 9mm semi-automatic, was stolen on March 24 within the city limits of Lakeland, police said.

When it was found Wednesday, the magazine contained 12 rounds, police said.

The student was interviewed by a detective and admitted to having the handgun in his backpack and, according to a Facebook post by police, "hiding it behind a desk because he did not want anyone to see it."

The school's principal had earlier notified a school resource officer that the student was seen in possession of two black handguns in a social media post. In the social media post, according to police, the student threatened a student from another school.

The 14-year-old was seen on surveillance camera Wednesday walking into a teacher's class and wearing the backpack. He later left the room without the backpack, which the principal checked.

The student was charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds and unlawful carry of a firearm.

Bay News 9 is not releasing the student's name because of our crime guidelines.