The teen said he intended to shoot up the school, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

PASCO COUNTY – A Ridgewood High School student was arrested Wednesday (Nov. 2) after he allegedly made a false threat to shoot up his school, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office said.

Nicholas James Kaar, 15, was charged with making a false report to use a firearm in a violent manner, deputies said.

The charge falls under a Florida law that took effect Oct. 1. The law, which applies to so-called terroristic threats, prohibits making false reports concerning planting a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction, to also prohibit making a false report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner. Commission of either of these offenses is a second degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

“It breaks my heart that a 15-year-old student’s future is in jeopardy because he made a false threat to shoot up his school, especially after we widely publicized the new ‘terroristic threats’ law and pleaded with parents to talk to their kids about its serious consequences,” Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said. “I will take this opportunity to once again ask all parents to make it clear that it’s not okay to joke about school shootings. Such threats are not a laughing matter and neither are their legal consequences.”

Deputies said Kaar told other students not to come to school because he intended to “shoot up the school.” Kaar’s threat was also verified by a school staff member.

For information about the Pasco Sheriff, go to pascosheriff.com.

Pasco County Sheriff | Ridgewood High School | Pasco School District | Terroristic Threat | Arrests | TB Reporter

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