Father held without bail for threatening elementary school

TAMPA, Fla. – A Clearwater father is being held without bail tonight after reportedly threatening his son's school.

Investigators said 35-year-old Esteban Del Valle threatened and targeted teachers at Gorrie Elementary School in Tampa. Authorities say the incident was sparked by his son's refusal to attend school.

In court, Tampa Police Detective Ryan Khun said Del Valle used speakerphone during a meeting with his child's mother and school administrators to discuss the suspension. After an argument, the child's mother hung up, and Del Valle texted her the threat.

The text was read out in court by Khun: “I'm on my way, bitch. I'll be there and I'll be the one shooting that bitch, no kids, just teachers. They think I'm joking about my son. You and they'll hear me.”

In court, Khun said that the student's suspension was also due to a threat.

“Her son was in trouble with the school because he had verbally threatened the school. He had said he would shoot at the school,” Khun said.[Del Valle] He just wasn't happy with the way things were handled and when I spoke to him he felt like his son was being demonized.”

Del Valle's criminal history includes domestic violence and assault on a police officer. State Attorney Suzy Lopez said his record indicates dangerous anger issues.

“The judge agreed that he was a danger to our community. When he was arrested, he was found to be in possession of ammunition after threatening to shoot people in a school,” Lopez said.

Prosecutors fought to keep him in custody without bail.

“The state had an option, it was a discretionary motion that we filed. But we felt it was the right thing to do to keep the community safe and the judge agreed,” Lopez added.

A mother of two students at Gorrie Elementary School, who wished to remain anonymous, said tonight that the parents had not been informed of the alleged threat from the student.

“Knowing the details that came to light at today's hearing and knowing the details of why this student was suspended in the first place is very disturbing,” she said.

The Hillsborough County School District said it could not comment on the student's disciplinary record, but said the facts presented in court about the student were not accurate. The school district would not elaborate on which facts are incorrect.

10 Tampa Bay contacted Tampa Police about the discrepancy. Tampa Police told us, “Based on information provided by school personnel, our detective's statements in court today were accurate.”