Cocoa-Mainland football game halted due to discovery of firearm; arrests made

DAYTONA BEACH — Play during a high school football game between Cocoa and Mainland was halted for more than an hour Friday due to the discovery of a firearm at a Daytona Stadium security checkpoint.

Around 8 p.m., while conducting a routine bag inspection, a security guard discovered a gun in a bag belonging to a male juvenile, who was attempting to enter the venue, according to a Daytona Beach Police Department statement. The security guard informed a Daytona Beach Police officer. The officer secured the bag and attempted to detain the suspect for further investigation, but the suspect fled on foot.

Two other juveniles who were with the suspect also attempted to flee. They were apprehended and charged with resisting arrest.

The suspect was subsequently identified, arrested and charged with disturbing the peace at a school function, possession of a firearm on school property, resisting arrest and theft of a firearm.

As a precautionary measure, Mainland principal Joseph Castelli, other administrators and stadium staff instructed athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, officials and media to leave the field at approximately 8:10 p.m. In a public address announcement, fans were instructed to remain in their seats while entry and exit of the stadium was temporarily prohibited.

A police helicopter circled the stadium for more than half an hour, and officers were stationed in both of the stadium's parking lots. Daytona Beach Police patrol cars could also be seen in the stadium's lots.

The game was restarted just before 9:30 p.m., with Cocoa leading 24-0 with 1:52 left in the second quarter. At that time, fans were allowed to leave the stadium with no reentry allowed.

The Tigers won 51-0.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Cocoa-Mainland football game halted due to discovery of firearm; arrests made