Two Hillsborough County Students Arrested for Threats
Two students were arrested in separate incidents today for making violent threats against their schools. Each case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and were not found to be credible. In neither instance did the individuals make any efforts to effectuate their threats. The students were arrested and transported to Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center.
In a statement released earlier this week, Sheriff Chad Chronister explained his no-nonsense attitude with regards to these types of threats and the importance of the communities help in identifying these individuals to get them out of schools and behind bars. In both of today’s instances, individuals spoke up quickly and helped law enforcement identify concerning individuals. HCSO has a zero tolerance posture when it comes to these kinds of threats.
“The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and our dedicated cadre of School Resource Deputies, remain hyper-vigilant to any threats or vows of violence, whether they are cryptic statements on social media, so called “copycat” threats or words spoken between students,” said Sheriff Chronister.” “Law enforcement and educators depend on students, parents and caregivers to alert us when they hear something or sense that something isn’t right. I implore everyone to do the right thing when it comes to our children’s safety. Don’t stay silent or in the shadows. Be heard and maybe save a life.”
On Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at approximately 3:10 p.m., a student made threatening statements while at the school bus ramp at Armwood High School that caused witnesses who heard him to fear for their safety. The student claimed he had a machine gun and was going to “shoot up the school.” He also stated to the witnesses he was going to “kill his animals when he got home.” and told them he had a bomb with him at school. When confronted by teachers, he made similar statements in their presences. Deputies interviewed the student during the course of an investigation and later arrested him and charged him with false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction, or concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner and transported to the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center. No weapons or bombs were found.
On Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at approximately 11:30 a.m., a Turkey Creek Middle School student made threatening statements to his teacher in front of his class. After claiming that he was “going to do Florida Round 2 tomorrow,” the student was removed from class and searched. No weapons were found. He was charged with false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction, or concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner and transported to the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center. Change Of Placement (COP) proceedings were initiated by school
administration.