BROWARD COUNTY, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2024) — Nine students, from Broward County schools have been arrested since August for making threats.
Nine students from Broward County between the ages of 11 and 15 have been apprehended by detectives from the Broward Sheriffs Office Threat Management Unit (TMUI for making school threats in the period leading up, to the start of the 2024 25 year.
The organization emphasizes the importance of parents and guardians reminding children and adolescents to be cautious with their posts and ensure that their messages are polite and suitable, for all audiences. It’s a known advice. If someone issues a threat online authorities will take it seriously conduct a thorough investigation and potentially arrest the individual responsible. An arrest could result in long term repercussions.
The details of the cases are described in the following sections.
Saturday, Aug. 10, BSO Case Number 08-2408-001019
Saturday on August 10th investigators from TMU were given a tip by the FBI about a post made by a 13 year old boy on Snapchat. Upon probing it was discovered that the student shared a partially visible photo of himself along with a written threat to carry out a mass shooting at BCPS offices located in Fort Lauderdale. Detectives revealed that the students actions were triggered by his dissatisfaction with BCPSs policy regarding student cellphone usage. The teenager was located at his residence, in Weston. Was apprehended on the same day.
The teenager was taken into custody for making threats of violence and utilizing a communication device to aid in committing a crime.
Thursday, Aug. 15, BSO Case Number 16-2408-000993
Detectives at TMU were alerted on Thursday by the FBI about a student from Broward County who was reportedly making threats against Cooper City High School via Snapchat. The investigation, into the threat resulted in the apprehension of a 13 year girl who confessed to creating the post and claimed it was meant as a joke. She has been charged with offenses related to making threats to kill and using communication to aid in a felony.
Wednesday, Sept. 4, BSO Case Number 10-2409-000633
Investigators stated that around 11;34 a.m on Wednesday the 4th of September in Deerfield Beachs Somerset Academy Key Middle/High School vicinity Broward County Regional Communications was informed about a bomb threat. Deputies from BSO along with detectives, from BSO’s Threat Management Unit were dispatched to look into the matter.
In the course of the inquiry BSO’s TMU investigators received details that resulted in the apprehension of a student in grade who confessed to making the threat.It was reported that the boy was held in custody and brought to the Juvenile Assessment Center, for formalities.
The 11 year old is charged with one offense of reporting a bomb or weapon of mass destruction.
Friday, Sept. 6, BSO Case Number 11-2409-0001828
Authorities from BSO TMU looked into a threat issued by a student from Blanche Ely High School who posted on Snapchat stating they intended to “shoot up the school.” The 14 year old boy admitted to making the threat. Is facing charges, for making a written threat of violence and using technology to commit a felony offense.
Saturday, Sept. 7, BSO Case Number 90-2409-002058
Detectives stated that a student shared stories on Instagram last Saturday afternoon that included threatening content targeting various schools in Broward County with violence and mentioning a potential school shooting or other violent acts in other posts as well. Numerous individuals came across these posts online and promptly alerted law enforcement, about the concerning content.
Detectives used their skills to track down the source of the threats to a 14 year old girl in Lauderdale Lakes area.. Upon being questioned by the detectives, about the situation the teenager admitted to making the threats and clarified that she meant them as a joke.
After being arrested the teenage girl was brought to the Juvenile Assessment Center for handling. She is accused of sending written threats to commit a mass shooting or kill someone threatening to use devices and unlawfully using a communication device.
Sunday, Sept. 8, BSO Case Number 90-2509-002136
Detectives from the BSO TMU started looking into a threat of a school shooting that was posted on Instagram targeting Central Charter School in Lauderdale Lakes area. The inquiry eventually led them to an 11 year boy who admitted to making the threat. He was taken into custody, for charges related to making written threats of violence planning a mass shooting and misusing a communication device illegally.
Sunday, Sept. 8, BSO Case Number 16-2409-000462
Detectives were informed that a student at Cooper City High School allegedly made a threat to shoot a classmate using WhatsApp messaging app leading to the intervention of TMUI (Text Message Unit Investigator) detectives who engaged in conversation, with the 15 year old suspect resulting in his admission of making the menacing statement. The adolescent was subsequently taken into custody on charges related to issuing threats of violence and misuse of communication equipment.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, BSO Case Number 04-2409-000805
Late on Monday evening the BSO was informed about a threat that was posted on social media concerning Broward County Public Schools. Investigators, from BSOs TM Unit and Broward County Public Schools Police were dispatched to look into the matter.
As per investigators findings in Broward County across Lauderdale Lakes and nearby areas like Lauderhill and Fort Lauderdale to Sunrise were targeted by threats allegedly posted by a student traced back to a 12 year girl in Lauderhill through investigative techniques used by the detectives involved in the case. Upon being questioned by the detectives regarding these threats as a prank, by her intentions mentioned during the interrogation where she admitted to creating them but clarified that she had no intention of following through with them and had already removed the account in question.
After being apprehended by authorities the 12 year old girl was brought to the Juvenile Assessment Center for evaluation. She is accused of writing threats to harm others or commit a mass shooting and improper use of a communication device, with two way capabilities.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, BSO Case Number 90-2409-002808
The FBI informed the TMU of the BSO about a threat that was shared on TikTok regarding a shooting at North Broward Preparatory School. The detectives from TMU successfully tracked down the source of the threat a 13 year old residing in Parkland. Once questioned the teenager admitted to posting the message citing peer pressure as her reason, for doing. She claimed it was meant as a prank and had no intention of causing harm to anyone. She was taken into custody by the detectives for making threatening statements and misusing a communication device.
Before the 2024–2025 year commenced Broward Sheriff Dr Gregory Tony addressed the issue of such threats discussing the repercussions of making them and how law enforcement reacts to investigate such incidents. His thoughts on this matter are available, in this document.
Making threats towards schools is a matter that should not be taken lightly in any circumstance according to the laws of Florida State; whether verbalized in person or through written messages on paper or social platforms like social media can result in severe consequences such as facing felony charges for threatening to harm with intent to kill someone or causing bodily harm or planning a mass shooting incident. Should anyone come across threats of this nature it is crucial to report it promptly to the authorities or provide the information, for further investigation and necessary action.
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