- April 17, 2024
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A sixth grader at Indian Trails Middle School was arrested early Wednesday morning on a charge of threatening a mass shooting.
The 12-year-old had sent snapchat messages to another student about shooting up the school and wanting to kill people, according to an arrest report. The messages also showed the girl was trying to get a firearm from another minor, the report said.
The girl was arrested by Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies at 1:16 a.m. on Nov. 16.
“Threats such as these are not a joke and will always be taken seriously,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We don’t like making these arrests, but we will come knocking on your door if your child makes any threat to harm someone."
The other student's mother found the snapchats and called police just before midnight on Nov. 15. Upon speaking to the other student, she told deputies she had saved the messages and was going to tell the principal and school resource officer the next day, the report said. There were several messages referencing killing people and shooting up the school, according to a press release from FCSO.
FCSO deputies immediately located the sixth grader in question and went to the listed address.
As deputies interviewed the sixth grader, her parents said she had come to them a few months prior saying she felt suicidal, the report said. The minor told deputies she was making plans for a mass shooting, the press release said, but needed supplies — she had convinced her parents to buy her a pair of football gloves and was attempting to get a firearm from another minor.
Staly thanked the parent who came forward with the threat, allowing them to act swiftly to prevent an incident from occurring. The girl was arrested and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice without incident.
"I also hope this child gets the mental health help that is obviously needed,” Staly said.
