Threats Against Gulf High Land Teen in Hot Water

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — The second New Port Richey area teen in a week faces criminal charges after allegedly threatening to shoot up a school. This time around, the teen is a Gulf High School student.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, a 16-year-old boy was arrested on a charge of giving a false report of using a firearm on Thursday. The boy reportedly told a student on Wednesday, Dec. 7 about his plans. The teen is accused of telling the other student: “Don’t come to school tomorrow. I’m gonna shoot the place up," according to an email from the sheriff's office.

Another student overheard the conversation and spoke to a few others. “Some of those students did not come to school on Dec. 8 as a result of the alleged threat,” the sheriff’s office said.

After questioning the teen, deputies say he admitted to making the threat. The boy, who is not being identified by Patch due to his age, was charged under a Florida law that makes it illegal to make a false report about planting a bomb, an explosive or weapon of mass destruction. The same law also makes it illegal to threaten the use of firearms. The offense is a second-degree felony.

Earlier this week, the sheriff’s office announced the arrest of a 13-year-old Paul R. Smith Middle School student on similar charges. In that case, the boy allegedly threatened to shoot up the campus before holiday break.

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