A stolen firearm was discovered today at Leesburg High School, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg Police Department, and K9 Samba, a vape-detection canine known for her exemplary service in schools.

“During a routine visit to campus today, Samba, our vape detection K9, alerted to a smell in the backpack of a student in a self-contained classroom, and upon inspection of the bag, the gun was found,” School Board Member Tyler Brandeburg says. “This discovery led to a felony arrest of the student by the Leesburg Police Department.”

The firearm, identified as a loaded Glock 9mm, was later determined to be stolen out of Lake County. The discovery took place in the media room, where the backpack had been left unattended.

“Proactive law enforcement work in our schools potentially prevented a tragedy from occurring,” Tyler added. “I could not be more proud of School Resource Officers, Safe School Officers, and Guardians who continue to go above and beyond to keep our students safe.”

Today’s events underscore the critical role of law enforcement in Lake County Schools. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the achievements of K9 Samba and her handler, Erica Stamborski, who have been instrumental in maintaining a secure learning environment.

“We are incredibly proud of K9 Samba’s and Handler Stamborski’s efforts and their unwavering dedication to ensuring a safe learning environment for children in Lake County,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

This incident occurred just one week after Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody recognized Samba and Stamborski with the “Back the Blue Award” for their outstanding work detecting vapes and THC on school campuses. “Samba’s value was demonstrated again today,” the Sheriff’s Office said, “as she also discovered three vapes and a cigar in other backpacks during the same sweep.”

The Leesburg Police Department’s swift response and the coordinated efforts of law enforcement ensured the situation was resolved without incident. Brandeburg expressed his appreciation for the ongoing work to enhance school safety. “While I am disappointed that this event happened, I have never been more confident in the work that our District constantly improves upon to prioritize safety and ensure that every teacher, staff member, and student makes it home each day,” he said.

Today’s discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, teamwork, and proactive measures to safeguard students and staff. Special recognition goes to K9 Samba, Handler Stamborski, and the dedicated law enforcement officers who help protect the community every day.

Photos shared from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office