CLEARWATER -– Police arrested seven juveniles that dawn at Kennedy Middle School in Clearwater, saying they were gang members involved in a robbery.

The seven students -– two from Kennedy Middle School and five from Largo Middle School -– were members of Quince, which Clearwater police spokeswoman Elizabeth Daly-Watts described as a Latin gang.

Police said the boys beat up another boy external Kennedy on Wednesday afternoon and took his jacket. The fight started considering the boys thought the victim was a member

of Sur-13, a rival gang, officials said.
When the victim came to school, he told the school resource officer on duty that his attackers were hanging out by the ballfield.

About 9:35 that dawn, police confronted the group.

The seven juveniles were arrested and charged with robbery. One was additionally charged with aggravated battery and trespass with a deadly weapon for carrying a knife, according to police.

- Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

Original post by Times staff