FLORIDA — Central Florida has seen a string of school threats this week with law enforcement arresting four more students Friday — two in Orange County and two in Volusia County.
The Orlando Police Department arrested two students at Boone High School Friday morning after school resource officers were tipped off about a student carrying a suspected handgun on campus.
Officers located a 17-year-old, 10th-grade female student carrying a loaded 9mm handgun in her backpack, according to Orlando police.
What You Need To Know
- Two Boone High students face charges of “possession of a firearm on a school campus”
- Two Heritage Middle School students face charges making written threats to kill
- Seminole County has a seen a string of school threats this week
They discovered the girl’s boyfriend — a 19-year-old, 12th-grade student at the school — had given her the gun to hold with plans to get it later, the police department said in a release.
Officers arrested both students on charges of “possession of a firearm on a school campus.” The male student was also charged with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”
In Volusia County, the sheriff’s office arrested two Heritage Middle School students for allegedly posting threats on Tiktok and Instagram to commit a school shooting.
Both students are facing charges of making written threats to kill, which is a felony, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office is warning students that all threats are taken seriously, and “anonymous” accounts can be traced, even if a post or account is deleted.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood said his office will pursue criminal charges to the full extent of the law, and that threats meant as “jokes” are no exception.
The sheriff’s office also noted that Florida law allows the cost of the investigations to be charged to the parents of the juvenile defendants.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Volusia Schools Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin are asking parents and guardians “to take a proactive role in reinforcing this message with students.”
The sheriff’s office continues to encourage students to “see something, say something,” allowing law enforcement to investigate every potential threat.
Seminole County has also seen a string of school threats this week, resulting in two students arrested.