DeLEON SPRINGS, FL – A 12-year-old girl is facing serious felony charges after allegedly using a classmate’s account to send a violent threat to an elementary school in Volusia County.
The Investigation
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) launched an investigation over the weekend after a teacher at Louise S. McInnis Elementary School received an explicit written threat. The message stated an intent to “shoot up” the school on the final day of classes and specifically targeted the teacher.
While the message originated from a student account belonging to a 12-year-old boy, detectives quickly determined the boy was not responsible. Investigators revealed that his ex-girlfriend had access to his login credentials and allegedly sent the message to frame him.
Legal Consequences
The juvenile has been charged with two felonies:
- Making written or electronic threats to kill.
- Unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
The Sheriff’s Office took the unusual step of releasing video footage of the arrest process to emphasize their “zero-tolerance” policy regarding school threats. The footage, which shows the juvenile being processed and placed in a cell, has already garnered over one million views on social media.
School Safety and Reporting
Authorities continue to urge parents to monitor their children’s digital activity and account security. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office reaffirmed that all threats, even those intended as “pranks” or sent under someone else’s name, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Anyone with concerns about school safety is encouraged to report tips immediately to local law enforcement or through official safety apps.
