Pinellas teen threatened school shooting because he was ‘nervous’ about new school: sheriff
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A 14-year-old was arrested for threatening a mass shooting at a Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School on Monday. The threat comes as several schools in the Tampa Bay area welcomed students back to class.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said the teenager sent a Snapchat post stating, “Let a single one of these mfs look at me the wrong way im shooting up the school (tears running down face emoji).”
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When detectives contacted the teen, he admitted to making the post but claimed he did it as a joke because he was “nervous about his new school.”
The 14-year-old was arrested and charged with one count of written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting.
A 15-year-old girl was also arrested on Monday after she made an Instagram post threatening to shoot up Gaither High School in Hillsborough County.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said the girl is facing the following charges: written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooing or act of terrorism and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
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“Today, on the first day back to school, we faced a concerning situation where a student made a violent threat on social media. I am deeply disappointed that such behavior surfaced on what should have been a positive and safe start to the school year,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “However, I want to express my sincere gratitude for our detectives swift and decisive actions. Their professionalism and vigilance ensured the situation was handled promptly, keeping our schools and community safe.”
As the 2024-25 school year gets underway, Pinellas deputies urge anyone with information on any threats to contact the sheriff’s office at 727-582-6200.
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