12-Year-Old Allegedly Threatens To 'Shoot Up' School: Sheriff

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A 12-year-old Seminole Middle School student was accused of threatening to "shoot up" his school via text message on Monday, a news release said.

The suspect was in class when he texted, "Hi, it's me. Ima shoot up the school," to a friend of his, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. The friend immediately reported this to school officials shortly after 10:41 a.m., according to authorities.

Deputies arrested the 12-year-old at the school on charges of threatening communications.

Investigators said the student told them he sent the text message as a joke using the messaging app, Text Now.

Seminole Middle and other area schools were already on high alert from a Snapchat message indicating a school shooting would take place Monday, authorities said. Detectives are actively investigating that threat and, at this time, do not believe the two incidents are related.

Due to the suspect being a minor, Patch will not release his name.