Gulf County teens arrested for online threats in separate cases
Two Gulf County teens
arrested for making
threats on social media
from the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office
GULF COUNTY – Gulf County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) School Resource Deputies and Investigators wrapped up two criminal investigations this week related to the use of social media applications to publish threatening comments directed at two district schools. The two cases were unrelated, and two teenagers are currently held at the Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center on felony charges.
The first investigation began after a bomb threat was made on TikTok directed to Port St. Joe Elementary School (PSJES) on Sept. 21. “Im gonna bomb psj elementary,” was posted as a comment to a PSJES teacher’s TikTok account after the school day was over. The investigation began immediately. Deputies were able to identify the suspect – a 13-year-old boy from Port St. Joe. Gulf District Schools immediately suspended him from attending school pending the outcome of the investigation.
Investigators were able to trace the comment back to a phone believed to be in the suspect’s possession after executing a search warrant at his residence. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with making a false report concerning planting a bomb, by intentionally posting a bomb threat on the social media platform for others to see.
The second investigation began at Wewahitchka High School (WHS) on Sept. 27 when a school administrator notified a School Resource Deputy of a comment posted on Snapchat about killing multiple people. The post itself was not directed to WHS but was believed to be made by a 15-year-old student. During the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for the account which revealed that the teen had conversations with another Snapchat subscriber stating that he was going to kill a kid at the school and that no one was going to stop him. At the time of his arrest, he admitted to making the post. He was arrested on a warrant and charged with sending written or electronic threats to kill.
“It is our duty, and we are committed to keeping our children and our schools safe,” said Sheriff Mike Harrison. “Parents, please speak to your children about the seriousness of these cases and the potential consequences these teenagers will face. If you allow your child to use social media apps – make it your business to know what your child is doing, who they are talking to, and what they are saying online.”
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