MIAMI (AP) – A television reporter investigating a story on school violence was arrested after carrying a loaded gun onto school property, authorities said.

Jeffrey Weinsier of WPLG-TV, an ABC network affiliate, was taken into custody Tuesday at Miami Central High School after ignoring several warnings not to walk on school property, Miami-Dade schools police said.

“Kindly go across the street now,” an officer is shown telling Weinsier during the videotaped encounter.

“I’m not,” Weinsier replied. The officer then handcuffed him.

Weinsier, 40, was charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds, trespassing on school property with a weapon and resisting officers without violence.

The photographer working with Weinsier, Frank Debesa, said afterward: “Jeff did have a gun on him.”

Weinsier began carrying a gun after he received death threats stemming from a series he did about unsanitary conditions at restaurants, according to the station.

“At this point, Channel 10 is still reviewing the circumstances surrounding today’s arrest,” said Dave Boylan, the station’s vice president and general manager.

Weinsier has a concealed weapons permit, but state law prohibits anyone from being armed at schools, police Detective Ed Torrens said.

Weinsier was released from jail on $11,000 bond.

“I’ve been advised not to say anything,” he told Channel 10 afterward. “The videotape speaks for itself. … I was not trespassing.”

A telephone message left on his work voice mail by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

WPLG is owned by The Washington Post Co.


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