Melbourne student booked for bringing gun on campus

A 19-year-old Eau Gallie High School student was jailed after police said he got into an argument with another student and went out to his pickup truck where he kept a gun. 

Tristan Rogers, of West Melbourne, was charged with possession of a firearm on school property about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday after a Melbourne school resource officer went to talk to the student.

"The incident was no threat to the school and no threats to anyone else, it was an argument between friends that resulted in them telling the school resource officer that (Rogers) had a gun. The gun was unloaded and behind the vehicle seat," said Lt. Cheryl Trainer, spokeswoman for the Melbourne Police Department. 

The arrest is the latest as Brevard County Public Schools continue to sort through a spike in reported threats following the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Parkland high school that left 17 people dead.

"Since Parkland, it's been nonstop. I'd say weekly we are investigating a number of issues, many of which are unfounded. But we encourage people to talk with us. If you see something, say something," Trainer said. 

Rogers, who initially denied having a gun in his Ford F-150, was booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes after a search turned up a .22 caliber handgun. Guns are not allowed on school property. Rogers' status at the school following the arrest was not immediately known.

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Police said the assistant principal contacted the resource officer to discuss information regarding the argument between Rogers and the other student. The officer talked with Rogers who was sitting in the pickup during school hours, reports show.

After admitting that he had the gun, the officer located the handgun in a leather holster behind the driver’s seat. There was no ammunition in the gun, reports show.

Rogers has an April 12 court date.

Contact Gallop at 321-242-3642

jdgallop@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @JDGallop