clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

REPORT: 2016 Signee Sam Bruce withdraws from St. Thomas Aquinas

In a weird and slightly unsettling circumstance, Sam Bruce has withdrawn from St. Thomas Aquinas.

By Cameron J. Underwood
One of the top signees for Miami's 2016 recruiting class, Sam Bruce is in the news for a not so good (alleged) reason
One of the top signees for Miami's 2016 recruiting class, Sam Bruce is in the news for a not so good (alleged) reason
247Sports

According to a report by Susan Miller Degnan and Manny Navarro, both of the Miami Herald, top WR signee Sam Bruce has withdrawn from St. Thomas Aquinas.

There is A LOT going on in the report (which you can see linked above), but here are the broad strokes: Bruce was allegedly recently pictured holding a gun.

That was a move that is part of an ongoing dispute between Bruce and another former STA athlete regarding Bruce's ex-girlfriend, a source told the Herald. The source further said that the photo made its way into the possession of the other individual in the alleged dispute, who then called the Ft. Lauderdale Police, which has jurisdiction over St. Thomas Aquinas.

Both of Bruce's parents are quoted in the Herald report as saying things are "fine" with Bruce. The family attorney, Frank A. Maister, echoed those sentiments and had further comments.

"Yes, I’ve seen the picture,’’ Maister said. "He’s 18 years old. He has an absolute right to possess a firearm under the second amendment of the Constitution. Totally legal. And there’s no certainty it’s a real gun. It might very well be a BB gun. There’s not a story here. He’s a great kid. He’s got a great family.

"…There was a dispute between Sam and a much older guy about a girl. And this 25-year-old guy, who I’m sure is the source behind all of this, threatened Sam, is what happened.’’


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/prep-broward/article60859347.html#storylink=cpy

While it's unknown what the full scenario is behind this report, it's something that is definitely worth monitoring.

To their credit, everyone associated with Bruce says he's not in trouble, and will be enrolled in another school in the very near future.

Before we go jumping to any conclusions, I suggest we let this play out and see what the end result is.

355PM UPDATE: According to a report by Wells Dusenbury and Christy Cabrera-Chirinos, both of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami still expects Sam Bruce to be on campus in the fall.

More on this report as it becomes available.