FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A 13-year-old boy was arrested just after Flager County Sheriff Rick Staly addressed concerns about a series of threats made at schools across the county.
Staly said that Buddy Taylor Middle School (BTMS) in Palm Coast has had shooting and bomb threats over the last three days.
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The sheriff said these types of threats, known as swatting, have been happening across the state and country.
The sheriff’s office announced the arrest of a 13-year-old boy in Daytona Beach in connection to threats made at BTMS. He also had the same phone with him that was used to make the calls.
Deputies said he tried to delete any evidence that connected him to the threats made at BTMS.
The teen does not attend the middle school but, deputies said he told them that his friend, who goes to the school, dared him to make the bomb threat.
The boy was charged with false report concerning a bomb, tampering with evidence and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Old Kings Elementary in Flagler Beach also had a threat this week along with First Baptist Christian and Suncoast Area School, both in Bunnell.
Somewhere between 19 to 24 units have responded every time a threat has been made, according to Staly.
“In every incident sheriff’s deputies swiftly responded in full force and searched thoroughly until no threats were found and everything was cleared, including using our explosive detection K9,” Staly said.
In addition, out of precaution, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting increased patrols at every public and private school throughout the county, and they said they will continue to do so until the end of the school year.
The sheriff urged parents to talk to their children about the “seriousness of making these threats.”
“We take every threat seriously and when we come knocking on your door it is too late and we will arrest your child if they make a threat,” Staly said.