Press Release Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
February 14, 2025 – Port Charlotte, FL
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.