Port Charlotte High School Student Arrested After BB Gun Found in Backpack – Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

CCSO

 

A student at Port Charlotte High School was arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack.

 

At approximately 11:45am on Friday, February 14, 2025, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies at Port Charlotte High School (located at 18200 Cochran Blvd.), were notified by school staff that they had received reports of a student in possession of a firearm. The student was identified as Jeremiah Marcial Bernardez (12/03/2006).

 

Administrative Staff, School Resource Deputies, and a Charlotte County Public Schools Guardian located Bernardez in his scheduled classroom. Bernardez was removed from the classroom and his backpack was taken for an Administrative Search. Inside the bag, a BB gun was located, which very closely resembled a lethal firearm. None of the reports received indicated a threat being made, nor did any mention Bernardez presenting the weapon to students or staff.

 

“The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. We are grateful for the student who took the initiative to report this incident, demonstrating the importance of speaking up and looking out for one another. All concerns are taken seriously and addressed immediately in collaboration with law enforcement to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all.”

Superintendent of Schools, Mark Vianello

Bernardez had no reasonable explanation for the possession of the weapon, claiming that he had found it recently and had forgotten it was in his backpack.

 

“I don’t care what it is… If you bring a weapon onto any of the school campuses in Charlotte County, you will face the consequences. There is absolutely no excuse good enough to justify it, and we will do whatever we have to do to protect all students, faculty, and staff. With today being the seventh anniversary of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we are reminded of just how critical it is that law enforcement take swift action, and I applaud my School Resource Officers, the Administrative Staff, and the Guardian for their immediate and appropriate response.”

Sheriff Bill Prummell

Jeremiah Marcial Bernardez was arrested and charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds. He was transported to the Charlotte County Jail without incident.