West Orange High student arrested for reportedly bringing gun to school

An 18-year-old West Orange High student was arrested Thursday, Jan. 23, for reportedly bringing a gun to school.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Esland, of Winter Garden, was charged both with possession of a firearm on school property and resisting an officer without violence.

The arrest report states that around 11:40 a.m. Thursday, two school resource officers became aware of a student who ran off campus from the courtyard and were told he might have a weapon. Deputies said they found the student didn’t have a weapon but were told someone else might have a gun on campus.

The SROs returned to campus and told administrators they needed to search the students involved in the previous confrontation. The report states that during the investigation, it was believed some students had an ongoing conflict “between neighborhood gangs” — allegedly Winter Garden and Tildenville — throughout the school year.

Deputies found Esland, who allegedly is one of the students involved with the ongoing dispute, in class. The SRO asked Esland to take off his backpack and escorted him to a nearby classroom.

According to the report, the SRO asked Esland if he had anything illegal in his possession and said he needed to be checked for any weapons. Esland then took “an aggressive stance” by clenching his fists and tensing his body before telling the SRO not to touch him, the report stated.

The SRO reportedly attempted to restrain Esland and walked him toward the back of the classroom as Esland jerked his arms away with clenched fists. Another SRO helped secure Esland, who they say put up a struggle, and put him in handcuffs.

Deputies said Esland made several attempts to break loose and tried to retrieve his backpack and leave the room. Once he was secured, they said, a school dean conducted an administrative search of the backpack. 

The report states that administrators found a loaded silver 9mm handgun with nine rounds in the magazine — six full metal jacket rounds and three critical-defense rounds. They also reportedly found a separate box of 21 critical-defense rounds in a fanny pack.

When Esland was asked why he brought a gun to school, he reportedly replied, “It’s not for anyone in particular, it’s for my protection.” 

Deputies notified the gang unit, which responded and questioned Esland. They said he remained uncooperative and evaded questions by stating he didn’t know. 

Esland was arrested and transported to the Orange County Jail, where he is being held on a combined $10,500 bond between the two charges. The gun and ammunition were submitted into evidence.