PLANT CITY, Fla. – Four students at Plant City High School were arrested on April 17, 2026, after school officials and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office discovered two firearms on campus. The discovery followed a physical altercation involving multiple students at 1:40 p.m.
After school administrators de-escalated and separated the students involved in the fight, an investigation revealed that Pedro Pascual-Perez, 14, and Pedro Perez-Jimenez, 14, had handed their backpacks to Francisco Ramos-Pedro, 15, and Charlin Silvan-Carmen, 14.
Investigators determined the latter two students attempted to hide the bags on school grounds.
A school resource deputy and administrators located both backpacks. A search of the bags revealed two firearms, one of which was loaded.
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Pascual-Perez and Perez-Jimenez have both been charged with possession of a firearm on school property, being a minor in possession of a firearm, and disrupting a school campus or function.
Ramos-Pedro and Silvan-Carmen are charged with tampering with physical evidence, possession of a firearm on school property, and being a minor in possession of a firearm.
“Bringing firearms onto a school campus is a serious and dangerous decision that puts students and staff at risk. Thankfully, this situation was contained before anyone was hurt,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We have zero tolerance for weapons on our campuses, and we will take quick action to hold those responsible accountable.”
The Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains active.
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