Rumor teen had gun at Lely High School in East Naples prompts lockdown

Lely High School went into lockdown Wednesday after staff caught wind of a rumor that a student had brought a gun to the campus, according to a Collier County Sheriff’s Office report.

The information was found to be false after a deputy investigated the rumor.

The student, a 16-year-old boy, was confronted by a deputy in a school stairwell, handcuffed and searched, the Sheriff's Office report states. The student’s bag was searched, but no gun was found.  

The student was taken to an office for questioning, according to the report. He said he did not have a gun and did not understand why he was being searched and questioned.

The report states the student was upset over a recent breakup and was trying to get back together with his ex-girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend’s friends became concerned when the male student began getting verbally aggressive toward her, the report states.

One of the ex-girlfriend’s friends said she witnessed the accused student wielding what appeared to be a gun Sunday, Oct. 15, at the apartment complex where they both live, according to the report. The friend warned the ex-girlfriend about what she saw.

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the accused student grabbed his ex-girlfriend by her arm and told her “she was going to regret the good thing they had together,” the report states.

According to the Sheriff's Office report, rumors began spreading that the accused student had a loaded gun on campus. The student and others questioned said he never said he had a gun on campus and never threatened anyone.

The gun the student was seen carrying at his apartment complex was a BB gun that belonged to his friend, the report states.

Deputies visited the accused student’s home, told his father about their investigation and checked “for any concerns,” according to the report. Deputies said they found two guns that were safely locked away.

The Collier County school district declined to provide any reports relating to the investigation and declined to comment.