DOVER FLORIDA, The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a student after authorities say he brought a firearm onto the campus of Strawberry Crest High School.
Officials said the incident occurred on March 9, 2026, around 1:01 p.m., when two students were separated following a fight at the school.
Authorities identified one of the students as 15-year-old Eddy Martinez Pedro. Investigators said he fled on foot after a school administrator took possession of his backpack.
According to deputies, a firearm fell from Martinez Pedro’s pants as he ran. He picked up the weapon and left the school grounds.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they located Martinez Pedro with school security near the 13300 block of East U.S. 92 in Dover.
Authorities said the firearm was later recovered underneath a nearby deck.
Martinez Pedro now faces several charges, including possession of a firearm on school property, minor in possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, and disrupting a school campus or function.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said school security and deputies acted quickly to prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
“Weapons have no place on a school campus, and we will always take immediate action when the safety of students and staff is threatened,” Chronister said. “We encourage people to continue speaking up and reporting suspicious activity.”
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional updates may be released as the case develops.
