Rockledge High Incident Confirms Brevard Public Schools' Need for New Weapon Detection Systems

Rockledge High is placed on lockdown and a semi-automatic handgun was found during a search

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – To further ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, Brevard Public Schools' recent announcement of the installation of an advanced weapon detection system at its high schools was made even more compelling by Friday's incident at Rockledge High School.

Rockledge police officers arrested three suspects after classes were suspended at Rockledge High School on Friday while police investigated a report of a shooting on school grounds.

Rockledge Police Chief Christopher Crawford identified the arrested suspects as Damien Ffrench, 19; Keshaun J. Artis, 17; and Kristian McKesson, 15. Ffrench was reportedly arrested two weeks ago by the Rockledge Police Department for trespassing on school property, resisting an officer, assaulting a police officer and threatening to kill someone.

A spokesman for the Rockledge Police Department said police received a report of a person with a gun at Rockledge High School around 12:15 p.m. Friday.

The report led to a confinement order at the high school and police ordered a lockdown while the investigation took place. After the investigation, the lockdown was lifted and a weapon was found. The students were then released from school and no one was injured.

These measures are part of a broader effort to improve the protection of everyone on school grounds without affecting everyday teaching.

Brevard Public Schools officials said the district will install the OpenGate weapon detection systems at Space Coast high schools during the 2024-2025 school year. Key points include:

■ Commitment to safety: The safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our top priority. As part of this commitment, BPS will begin the phased installation of state-of-the-art OpenGate® walk-through weapons detection at Melbourne High School from October 8-9. Our 15 other high schools will follow later this year.

■ Efficient and non-invasive screening: The OpenGate® systems are designed to quickly and unobtrusively scan people for dangerous or prohibited objects when entering school buildings. This technology will help maintain foot traffic, minimize delays in dropping off students and entering the school, while ensuring a safer environment for everyone. Students and visitors pass through the gates upon entering and remove laptops or similar items from their backpacks to avoid unnecessary warnings.

■ Clear procedures for alerts: In the event that the system triggers an alert, the person will be subject to a secondary search.

“I am grateful to the school board for providing this additional layer of security and to our partnership with the Sheriff's Office that has worked to bring this state-of-the-art weapon detection system to our schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell.

As we implement these systems, Brevard Public Schools continues to emphasize transparent communication with parents and guardians to ensure they are fully informed of the new procedures and their impact on daily operations.

The goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students while minimizing classroom disruption.