Police: DeLand HS Student Brings Cell Phone Case That Looks Like Gun To School

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DeLand, FL - A 15-year-old student at DeLand High School was taken into custody after DeLand police say that, while at school, the boy carried around a cell phone case that looked like a gun. The incident took place on Tuesday at approximately 9:28 AM. The student allegedly brought the pink cell phone case, which was molded to look like a novelty handgun, to DeLand High School. Once school officials were made aware of the situation, the school was placed on lockdown, and DeLand police were notified. The 15-year-old was located, and officials questioned him. The boy was arrested and taken into custody without incident. He is charged with a misdemeanor for disrupting school function. "It makes no sense to me that cell phone accessories are being made to look like handguns, and it makes no sense that gun manufacturers are making fatal weapons into novelties such as pink handguns," DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger said at a joint press conference with Volusia County Schools. Umberger added that the incident at DeLand High School could have potentially turned into a deadly use-of-force incident. Umberger urges anyone who witnesses something suspicious to notify DeLand police at (386) 626-7400, at www.delandpd.org, or by downloading the CRIMEWATCH app on their phone. Volusia County Schools Superintendent Tom Russell also spoke at the press conference. "We are going to hold students accountable if they issue any threat or any type of disruption to our school campuses," said Russell. "Our schools are for learning and not to create fear." Photo of the cell phone case courtesy DeLand Police Department. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.