Manatee County teenager arrested for threatening school shooting

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – In recent days, local authorities have received numerous reports of school shootings, most recently the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

“We began the investigation and found the 15-year-old who took responsibility and identified himself as the shooter,” said MCSO Lt. Julio Jordan.

He adds that investigators then went to the Bayshore High School student's home, but fortunately did not find any weapons there.

“When we first contacted him, he laughed about it. Even his family members told him the same thing. Like, 'We told you it would happen. We told you they would knock on the door.' And he still thought it was funny.”

The MCSO then arrested the student and took him to a juvenile detention center.

According to MCSO, there is often an increase in threats of school shootings after high-profile mass shootings like the one in Georgia last week.

The same generic threat posted on Snapchat has sparked concern in several counties along the Suncoast because it includes simple abbreviations that match several schools in the area. However, the original post refers to schools in Charlotte County.

“The student stated that he was passing on a rumor he had heard in an effort to inform people and provide them with safety,” said Sheriff Bill Prummell.

CCSO says this student has apologized for the fear and confusion the post caused.

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