15-year-old Sanford student arrested for threatening to become a school shooter, police say

SANFORD, Florida. – A 15-year-old student in Sanford was arrested Thursday night after police say he posted messages on social media threatening to become a school shooter, police said in a news release.

The teenager faces charges of making a written/electronic threat to carry out a mass shooting, Sanford police said.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m., police arrived at a residence on Pinecrest Drive after receiving an anonymous tip about a school shooting threat.

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After an investigation, investigators determined that the student had sent the messages and took him into custody. Police did not immediately disclose what the messages said or what school the teenager attended.

“Threatening to commit a school shooting is not a joke, it is a crime that will send you to prison,” Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement. “Sanford Police officers will continue to investigate these reports and respond quickly.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimeline.org.