Sunlake High Gun Tweet False Alarm, Sheriff Says

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — Sunlake High School students were greeted by an increased law enforcement presence on campus Thursday morning after a tweet raised alarm bells.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, one of the school’s students sent out a tweet Wednesday night to fellow students. That tweet showed a backpack and a gun.

“If one more person makes fun of how I talk again,” the tweet said.

Concerns about the veracity of the tweet kicked off an investigation by the sheriff’s office and the subsequent enhanced law enforcement presence on campus Thursday morning.

“There is no threat to the campus, deputies are there to provide reassurance to students, quell rumors, and ensure a safety kickoff of the school day,” Pasco Sheriff School Safety posted on Facebook Thursday morning.

The sheriff’s office announced late Thursday morning that the threat was investigated and it turned out to be unfounded. The child involved faces no criminal charges and is not being identified, the agency said.

While the tweet turned out to be harmless, the sheriff’s office warns state law in regard to such pranks will soon change.

“Beginning Oct. 1, this type of behavior will be a felony, due to recent legislation,” agency spokesman Kevin Doll wrote in an email.

Image via Shutterstock/Redacted tweet courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office