The boy was on probation for taking a loaded gun to school in April, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A 13-year-old boy was arrested Thursday (Aug. 16) after he threatened school violence on social media, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

The boy, whose name is being withheld because of his age, was charged with making written threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting, or act of terrorism. The offense is a felony.

Deputies said the boy threatened on social media to take a gun to Dowdell Middle School. The boy was upset because he had previously been expelled from Dowdell for taking a gun to school on April 26. He was on juvenile probation for that matter when he was arrested at his home Thursday. (See related story.)

“I am disappointed to be having this type of situation occurring so early in the school year but I cannot be any more clear, we will not tolerate any threats against a school. Period.,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Our children are our most precious resource and keeping them safe will remain my highest priority.”

Neither the school nor any children were ever in danger. No weapon was located. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Tampa.

Hillsborough Sheriff | School Violence | Crime | Arrests | Tampabay News | Local News

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