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Hillsborough Teens Accused of Falsely Threatening to Bomb Newsome High

Crime | Arrest | Public Safety

The two told deputies they wanted to get a reaction, according to the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Two Newsome High students were charged with falsely threatening to bomb the school, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

The two 16 year olds, one from Lithia and the other from Valrico, were charged with threatening to bomb, false report bomb, arson, weapon mass destruction of public property, a felony.

Deputies said the two teens were inside the McDonald’s at 16701 Fishhawk Blvd. about 3:29 p.m. Monday (March 6) when they created a drawing of the Newsome courtyard area. The drawing depicted a picture of a bomb within the courtyard. The two then walked away from the table, leaving the diagram and a manual for an unknown type firearm on top of the table.

About 4:54 pm, a witness walked through the restaurant lobby and discovered the diagram on the table, as well as what he believed to be a manual for a firearm. After viewing the diagram, deputies said the witness became concerned that someone had placed or was going to place a bomb in the courtyard area of the school.

Deputies used surveillance video from the McDonald’s, which showed both teens’ actions inside the restaurant.

The teens were found Wednesday (March 8). Deputies said both admitted to drawing the diagram and leaving it on the table. They indicated that they wanted to get a reaction out of whoever found it.

For information about the Hillsborough sheriff, go to hcso.tampa.fl.us.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Bomb Threat | Newsome High School | Crime | Arrests | TB Reporter

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