SANFORD, Fla. – A teen was arrested Thursday in Sanford after threatening a school shooting, according to the police department.
Officers responded around 8:30 p.m. to a home on Pinecrest Drive, where the 15-year-old boy was located.
According to a release, the teen had sent social media messages threatening to become a school shooter.
“Threatening to commit a school shooting is not a joke, it is a felony, and it will land you in jail. Sanford police officers will continue to follow up on and quickly act on these reports,” Chief Cecil Smith said in a release.
According to an arrest report, the 15-year-old sent a screenshot of a news article regarding mass shooting threats at Seminole High School to a friend on Instagram and sent a follow-up message saying, “It’s me, I told you I wanted to be the shooter.”
The report shows police searched the boy’s home and did not find any firearms.
The department did not specify what school that threat was directed to.
“The Sanford Police urges our local students and school staff to continue reporting any suspicious incidents, and we ask our local families to speak with your children about this topic. Please ensure that they are aware of the severity of making these types of threats, and instruct them on what to do if they observe a fellow student making threats,” the department said in a release.
This comes after Seminole County Public Schools sent a video message to parents Thursday evening from Superintendent Serita Beamon and Sheriff Dennis Lemma urging parents to talk with their children about the consequences of making threats.
Law enforcement had to increase its presence at Seminole High School in Sanford on Thursday because of the threat. On Wednesday, a student was taken into custody after a gun was found at Lake Brantley High School.
“We must all work together to keep our schools, community and children safe,” Lemma said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sanford police or Crimeline at 800-423-8477 to remain anonymous.
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