Fed up with a recent surge in false school shooting threats, Florida sheriff Mike Chitwood followed through on his warning to publicly embarrass offenders by releasing the mug shot of an 11-year-old accused of making threats at a middle school. Chitwood had received 54 threat tips, all of which were false, costing authorities nearly $21,000. He defended his decision to release the minor’s full name and mug shot on social media, citing the need to hold juveniles accountable for disrupting schools and threatening students.
The 11-year-old boy had allegedly made threats to commit a shooting at a middle school in Port Orange and displayed weapons in a video chat. Investigators found airsoft rifles, pistols, knives, and a list of names and targets in his room. The boy claimed it was a joke, but was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center.
This incident is part of a larger trend of false school shooting threats following a deadly shooting in Georgia. Chitwood reported numerous arrests for written threats and weapons on school campuses. There have been other arrests of students for similar threats on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The increase in threats has led to school closures, lockdowns, and heightened law enforcement presence across the country.
Chitwood’s decision to publicly shame juvenile offenders has sparked both support and criticism. Many commend his efforts to address the issue of false threats and hold parents accountable, while others question the ethics of exposing children online.
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