A middle school student has been arrested for allegedly threatening to initiate a mass shooting, becoming the latest threat as the country remains shaken up by other tragedies committed by young people.
Now, an 11-year-old is facing a felony charge after authorities found his threats of shooting up a middle school in Florida. Michael Chitwood of the Volusia County Sheriff’s department announced on Monday September 16 that they had arrested a student at Creekside Middle School.
The child had allegedly threatened to commit a mass shooting at either his own school or Silver Sands Middle School. Despite evidence—including a “list of names and targets”—the boy “says it was all a joke.” A felony charge of intimidation through a written threat has been lodged against the suspect, who has not been named on account of his age. The would-be shooter was charged as a juvenile.
Airsoft material such as pistols, rifles, magazines, fake ammunition, knives, and swords were found at the student’s home, according to authorities. Investigators found the target list on a notepad, including individuals he “wanted to kill.” The boy was arrested following an anonymous tip from a fellow Creekside student which resulted in authorities finding a group of kids from both Creekside and Silver Sands who were part of a virtual meeting with the suspect.
The boy in custody reportedly said he “joked” about committing a mass shooting but told detectives that he had never made a “direct threat to either school.” Days after the incident was announced by local police, Sheriff Chitwood released the mugshot of the minor charged in the case. He also warned he would continue releasing mugshots of kids who were arrested in connection with school shooting threats.
He previously said that he was going to “start raising” kids since their parents appear uninterested in doing so. Chitwood told parents that their “kids’ photo” will be publicized, allowing him to “perp walk” them to the community can “see what your kid’s up to.”
The threat comes shortly after a 14-year-old student shot up his Georgia high school, injuring nine people and killing four others. Both the student and his father have been charged in connection with that tragedy.
