13-Year-Old Arrested For Threatening Mass Shooting At Tampa School

TAMPA, FL — A 13-year-old has been arrested for making an electronic threat to carry out a mass shooting at his middle school.

On Monday, the student was taken into custody by Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies after he sent messages indicating he was going to shoot students at Buchanan Middle School, 1001 W Bearss Ave., Tampa.

Using Snapchat, the teen sent the threat to his girlfriend, an eighth-grader at the school via cell phone.

He was charged with written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

"Unfortunately, this teenager has learned the hard way that if you make an online threat, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will hold you accountable," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I implore parents to talk about social media and its proper use with their children. We will investigate every threat with diligence and determination."