MADISON COUNTY, Fla. — A 15-year-old student has been arrested after posting a threat online that he was going bring a gun and shoot people at a Madison County high school.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office said that on Sunday at about 10:35 p.m., information was received concerning a 15-year-old student at James Madison Preparatory High School posting electronic threats via group messaging relating to bringing a gun to school and shooting people.
Deputies were able to quickly identify the student and immediately found him at his home. The electronic posting was confirmed, and the student was placed under arrest and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice without further incident.
The student claimed the posting was a “joke” and that he “didn’t mean anything by it”. There is no indication that the student took any further actions to plan or prepare to carry out the threat.
MCSO reminds everyone including all students that any threat made against schools will be taken very seriously. Any individual(s) who make threats of school violence will be thoroughly investigated and charged in accordance with Florida State Statues.
He is being charged with written electronic threats to kill or bodily harm.
