A Poinciana High School dean may have averted a serious problem Tuesday when his search of a student with a gun turned into an arrest.
Kori McBride, 18, a PHS student, was arrested after police found him off campus and charged with possession of a firearm on a school campus, tampering with evidence and disturbing a school function, with additional charges possible, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Because of the incident, the school was on lockdown for part of the morning as law enforcement investigated.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez said a dean called McBride into his office due to faculty members smelling cannabis on him. The dean began searching McBride’s bag and felt something heavy and metallic, and suspected it may be a gun. During the search, Lopez said McBride grabbed the backpack and fled the campus.
Deputies were dispatched and caught up with McBride off campus, Lopez said, and while speaking with him a witness pointed out a spot in the bushes where he threw something. Deputies searched the spot and found a gun wrapped in what police say was McBride’s sweater.
“There was a firearm on campus this morning at Poinciana High School, and the suspect admitted to bringing it on campus. We don’t know his intentions, in this case everything turned out okay. We’re very serious about this, we have zero tolerance approach.”
Lopez said that parents need to “step up” and notice the things their students is carrying to school; he noted contact was made with McBride’s mother, who was uncooperative.
“If something had happened, this is something she would have to carry on her back,” Lopez said.
While McBride has no criminal record, Lopez said deputies responded to PHS last year when he threatened to shoot another student and documented the incident, although no firearm was found.
