Putnam middle schooler arrested for spreading rumors of school shooting

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 13-year-old student at Interlachen Junior-Senior High School on Friday for spreading rumors of a school shooting.

The sheriff’s office said it received information that the student was repeating a previous rumor of a school shooting in order to get a reaction from the other students.

Youth resource deputies spoke to the student, instructing the student to stop spreading false information. The student continued to repeat the rumors on the school bus on Wednesday.

As a result, an arrest warrant was issued and deputies arrested the student outside of his home. The student will be transferred to Volusia County Juvenile Detention Center.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The sheriff’s office received information on a written threat to the school and will step up law enforcement presence throughout the school day in response.

Parents are urged to speak with students about the consequences that come with writing a threat about a school campus, which is considered a second-degree felony.

The threat is being investigated and does not appear to be credible.

Anyone with any information about this threat may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-8477. Crime Stoppers allows callers to remain anonymous if they wish.

Read the full statement below:

“Parents, students and staff please be aware we have received information of a threat at Interlachen Junior Senior High School. At this time the threat does not appear to be credible. However, during morning drop-off, parents will notice an increase in law enforcement presence that will continue throughout the day as we continue to investigate this unverified threat.

“We urge parents and guardians to talk to their students about the seriousness of making a written threat about a school campus. We take every threat seriously and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. A written threat is considered a second-degree felony.

“Anyone with information about the threat that occurred in reference to Interlachen Junior-Senior High School is asked to contact CrimeStoppers of NE Florida at 1-888-277-8477, download the P3 app or use the ForitifyFL app. Students can access FortifyFL on their chromebooks. Tips are anonymous.

“There is no further information to be released at this time as to the nature of the threat. Please remember this is an active investigation.”

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