Student arrested for viral school shooting post that caused panic across Florida, nation
Coral Springs police on Friday arrested an 18-year-old high school student for threatening to shoot up a school and posting the message on social media, causing panic throughout Florida and even the nation.
The post has also been seen by parents and students in North Carolina, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah, Minnesota, Arkansas, and elsewhere. In Florida, it was reported in Volusia, Indian River, Broward, and Escambia counties.
Daytona Beach Police said the threat was made to Mainland High School and on Friday officers were actively investigating the situation.
"We have extra officers patrolling the school and on campus and are doing everything we can to keep the students and staff safe," the department said Friday morning.
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J.P. Taravella High School student Catrina Petit was arrested and charged with "multiple felonies," according to the Coral Springs Police Department. Police said she sent the threat fraudulently using another student’s name and computer access.
Message sent as a 'joke'
Broward County Public Schools wrote on its Facebook page that the student admitted to the threat and said she meant it "as a joke."
The hoax panicked parents and students from around much of the state Friday and led to multiple police agencies and schools posting messages saying the viral online threats were not credible.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office stated: "There's been a Snapchat post circulating all across the country about a school shooting threat today. It's a hoax, but please know that deputies, police, and school guardians are taking every potential threat seriously, and extra patrols of our school campuses will continue through the end of the school year."
The warnings led to hundreds of comments on law enforcement Facebook pages, including several from people who were keeping their kids home.
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Some students stayed home
"Have kept both of my grandsons home from school today, it's better to be safe than sorry, everyone be safe out there," wrote a poster on the Daytona Beach Police Department's page.
Volusia County Schools were also aware of the viral threat and released a statement.
"Volusia County Schools is aware of a threat that is circulating statewide on social media that is impacting many school districts. The threat is actively being investigated by law enforcement and has been determined to be “non-credible." We are working with law enforcement to determine the source. Out of an abundance of caution, we will have extra security on campus today, Friday, May 5, 2023. We will stay vigilant throughout the day to ensure everyone’s safety."
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said there was no threat against any specific Flagler school and that patrol efforts were enhanced throughout the district.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida school threat ends in arrest of Coral Springs girl, 18
