TAMPA, FL. (November 7, 2024) – – The Tampa Police Department arrested 17-year-old Darrice Marvin Saddler (black male, 3/12/2007), for Possession of a Firearm on School Property and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Thankfully, there were no injuries and no direct threats were made to any individual or the school itself.
“This incident highlights the importance of school safety and the diligent partnerships of school officials and our officers in ensuring the safety of our community,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “This also serves as a stark reminder that gun ownership comes with the responsibility of ensuring firearms are secured safely at all times.”
On Thursday morning, Saddler arrived at Gary Adult School, located at 5101 N 40th St., to take a placement test for the GED program. During an administrative bag check, school personnel discovered a loaded handgun in Saddler’s bag and alerted the Tampa Police officer working at the school.
The officer immediately took possession of the loaded firearm and arrested Saddler. The gun was found to have been stolen during an auto burglary being investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Saddler was also found to have multiple active warrants for Failure to Appear on a variety of charges.
Saddler was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center. Additional charges are pending for active cases in Hillsborough County’s jurisdiction.
The Tampa Police Department provides FREE gun locks to residents as part of our program called Project Locked and Unloaded. Deterring crime starts by working as a community to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands. Community members can pick up a free gun lock at any of our District Offices, TPD Headquarters, or at four designated libraries: Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, North Tampa Branch Library, New Tampa Regional Library or Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library.