Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jordan James Tucker, 21, was arrested yesterday and charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds after officers responding to a tip reportedly found two firearms in his backpack.

On November 5, Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD) received an anonymous tip through the college’s non-emergency “See Something, Say Something” portal from an individual who reported overhearing a conversation about someone carrying a gun on the college’s northwest campus.

Police determined that the student was Tucker, and a search of his schedule found that he had a class in Building B on Thursday, November 7, at 12:30 p.m. According to a release from SFPD, the Santa Fe College Academy, a charter high school near Building B, was placed on a “Hold” for about 25 minutes.

Two officers met Tucker as he walked into the building, and when they requested consent to search his bag, Tucker reportedly cursed and said he may have something in his backpack.

Although Tucker reportedly declined to answer questions after being read his Miranda rights, the arresting officer reported that he spontaneously said he had two guns in his backpack that he forgot to remove before attending class. At that point, Tucker was detained in handcuffs.

Tucker reportedly said he works at a gun store, had recently been at a gun show in Miami, and forgot to take his personal firearms out of his backpack.

A search of his bag reportedly produced two 9mm pistols, one loaded with seven rounds and the other unloaded; two extended magazines containing 24 rounds each; a mask; and gloves. The firearms’ serial numbers came back clear.

SFPD Chief Ed Book praised the use of “See Something, Say Something” to report concerning or threatening behavior that suggests harm to Santa Fe College students, staff, or visitors. “We are thankful this situation was not something more serious. It did demonstrate ‘See Something, Say Something’ works,” said Book.

According to the arrest report, Tucker has no prior arrests or criminal convictions. He has been released on $2,500 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.