An Osceola High School student was arrested for carrying a concealed gun on the school bus.The student was arrested at the school bus stop located at 61st Way and 99th Avenue in Pinellas Park at about 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2009.

The school resource officer at Osceola High School received information that a student identified as Rashad Coston had displayed a gun during his 7th period class.

As it was the end of the school day, the deputy met the school bus ridden by Coston at it's first stop at 61st Way and 99th Avenue in Pinellas Park.

The deputy boarded the bus, approached Coston and asked him to step off the bus to be interviewed. Coston agreed. Coston denied having a weapon; and the deputy did not find one on his person.

The deputy returned to the bus and discovered a sock under the seat where Coston had been sitting. The sock contained a gun.

Upon further investigation, the deputy learned that Coston had placed the sock containing the gun into another student's book bag just before getting off the bus to talk to the deputy. That student then saw the sock in the book bag, removed it and tossed it under the seat.

Deputies say Coston later admitted that he had brought the gun to school.

The gun was not loaded and no bullets were in the suspect's possession.

Coston was arrested for felony possession of a weapon on school board property and felony carrying a concealed weapon. He was transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center (PJAC).

The investigation continues.  

To view the suspect's photo please click on the related attachment link below.