16-year-old boy appears in court after gun found in car outside school

Teen caught on camera passing backpack containing gun to student, police say

MIAMI – A 16-year-old boy appeared Thursday in juvenile court, days after a gun was found in a car that was parked at Miami Norland Senior High School.

Brandon Baker is one of four students who were arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of a weapon on school property.

An officer who spoke during the hearing said Baker was captured on surveillance video passing a backpack containing a loaded gun to someone else.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools spokesman John Schuster said the school was placed on lockdown Tuesday after police received a tip about a gun on campus. He said police searched the school and found the gun in a car in the school parking lot.

Authorities said the gun had an altered or removed serial number.

A judge told Baker's attorney during Thursday's hearing that the teen will remain on home detention and cannot have any contact with the other two students who were arrested in the case.

His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

Tuesday's incident was the latest in recent months involving a gun on campus at the high school in Miami Gardens. Four students were arrested in November at Miami Norland Senior High School after a loaded gun was found on campus.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.