OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Police Department (OPD) has arrested a 14-year-old middle school student in connection with a school shooting threat posted on social media.
Police say they arrested the teenage boy on Thursday.
OPD says the child posted on Snapchat on Saturday, Jan. 20 threatening a shooting at Howard Middle School. They say students notified school administrators and the school resource officer on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Police have charged the teen with a felony charge of written threats to kill or do bodily harm.
The Howard Middle School threat was one in a series of threats posted over several days that week. The first threatened a shooting at 10 Marion County schools. Another one threatened violence against specific teachers. An 18-year-old student has been arrested in that case.
“School safety is a top priority for our agency, and we take threats like this very seriously,” said OPD in a post on Facebook. “If you ever come across a threat like this, especially towards a school, please call law enforcement immediately.”
Police urge parents and guardians to explain to children the seriousness of these kinds of social media threats and the consequences associated with the crime.