9th-Grader Threatened Mass School Shooting: Manatee County Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — A ninth-grade boy who attends Braden River High School was arrested for making threats of a mass school shooting, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies were notified Sunday around 10:30 p.m. of threats being shared on Snapchat.

In the message, the 14-year-old suspect said he was going to shoot multiple people at the school, the sheriff’s office said.

During the investigation, probable cause was developed to charge the boy with written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, a second-degree felony.

Though deputies named the teen, it’s Patch policy not to name minors accused of a crime unless they’ve been charged as an adult. It’s unknown whether he has been charged as a juvenile or an adult.

See Also:

• Gator Surprises Worker At Downtown New Port Richey Ice Cream Shop
• Disney Springs Restaurant Robbed By Man In Scuba Gear: Reports
• Arrest Made In Fatal Shooting Of Driver With 1-Year-Old In Car: St. Pete Police
• Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Arrested On I-4, Blew Twice The Legal Limit: Tampa Police
• 10th-Grader Brought Knife To High School: Hillsborough County Sheriff
• Parents Arrested For Medical Neglect, Abuse Of 5-Year-Old Girl: Sarasota Police

He was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center early Monday morning.

Deputies who searched his home determined that he didn’t have access to any unsecured firearms.

"Students’ safety remains our highest priority, and every report of a threat is taken very seriously. Making school threats is a serious matter and results in significant consequences. If you see a threat, report it immediately," Sheriff Rick Wells said.