Online Threats Against Schools: 14-Year-Old Girl Arrested
Multiple schools in Broward County, Florida, were targeted by online threats, prompting a 14-year-old girl’s arrest over the weekend.
Statement of the Incident
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), detectives from the Threat Management Unit took the teen into custody on Saturday evening with assistance from several law enforcement agencies. The girl had posted a series of Instagram stories on Saturday afternoon containing threats, listing several schools as potential targets of violence.
Additional Threats
Other posts included additional threats, such as a school shooting, with one showing a hand holding a gun and another referencing the recent Apalachee High School shooting in Winder, Georgia, where four people were killed.
Law Enforcement Response
BSO deputies collaborated with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Plantation Police Department, and Broward County Public Schools Police to handle the case. "We want to remind everyone that posting threats online to commit an act of violence on a school campus is expressly prohibited and subject to serious consequences, including felony charges and expulsion. If you post a threat to commit an act of violence at a school, we will find you," a BCPS spokesperson said in a statement.
Charges and Aftermath
The teen was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Fort Lauderdale and faces charges of making written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting, threats involving a destructive device, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Debra Hixon, a Broward County School Board member whose husband was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, expressed her frustration over the case. "It is so frustrating that this keeps happening. Threats are serious, and the anxiety it causes students and staff is unforgivable. Whoever made this threat should be punished with severe consequences," Hixon said.
Recent Similar Incident in Miami-Dade County
Meanwhile, on Friday, Miami-Dade County Public Schools also announced the arrest of a suspect accused of posting a threat of violence against Lamar Louise Curry Middle School on social media. "M-DCPS kindly asks parents to continue speaking to their children about the importance of using social media responsibly. Threats of any kind will be taken seriously, and those involved could face life-altering consequences," an M-DCPS spokesperson said.
Handling Threats with Utmost Seriousness
Law enforcement is required to handle threats with utmost seriousness. Just last week, Marcee Gray reportedly warned the Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that her 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, planned to carry out a shooting. The teen later used a rifle to kill two students and two teachers, injuring nine others.
Conclusion
In light of these incidents, it is crucial for parents and students to be aware of the consequences of making online threats against schools. Threats of any kind will be taken seriously, and those involved could face life-altering consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the severity of the consequences for making online threats against schools?
A: Posting threats online to commit an act of violence on a school campus is expressly prohibited and subject to serious consequences, including felony charges and expulsion.
Q: Who is involved in handling school safety incidents?
A: Law enforcement agencies, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Plantation Police Department, and Broward County Public Schools Police, are involved in handling school safety incidents.
Q: What can parents do to help prevent online threats against schools?
A: Parents can help by speaking to their children about the importance of using social media responsibly and by reporting any online threats to the authorities immediately.
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