On Friday, March 13, 2026, a 16-year-old student at Plant City High School was arrested following an armed robbery on campus that triggered a several-hour lockdown.
Incident Details
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the incident occurred around 8:25 a.m. near the front of the school. The suspect, identified by deputies as Neftali Bautista-Lopez, allegedly approached two classmates and demanded cash while threatening to physically harm them. During the encounter, he displayed a firearm inside his backpack. At least one victim handed over money before the suspect fled the campus.
Arrest and Recovery
The school was immediately placed on lockdown as a precaution. Investigators used surveillance footage to confirm the suspect had left the grounds. Deputies later located the student at his home in Plant City.
- Weapon Found: The suspect informed deputies that he had left the gun at a friend’s house. Investigators recovered both the stolen cash and the firearm from a vehicle at that residence.
- Weapon Status: The HCSO confirmed the firearm was unloaded and no ammunition was found.
Legal Charges
The 16-year-old is facing several serious charges, including:
- Two counts of Robbery with a Firearm (less than $750)
- Possession of a Firearm on School Property
- Minor in Possession of a Firearm
- Carrying a Concealed Firearm
- Tampering with Physical Evidence
- Disrupting a School Campus or Function
School officials have stated that the student will not be returning to the school and will face disciplinary action according to the Student Code of Conduct.
The cajones on these kids today.