Dowdell Middle School Student Charged With Making Threats

CLAIR-MEL, FL – Only the second week into the new school year, a 13-year-old boy was arrested at his Clair-Mel home for threatening to bring a gun to Dowdell Middle School, 120 Wishing Well Way.

He was charged with written threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, a felony. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the teen made the comments during a social media session with another person. He was apparently upset because he had been expelled for bringing a gun to school on April 26 (see related story). He was on juvenile probation for that offense when he was arrested Thursday, Aug. 16.

"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.," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "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. The teen was arrested without incident and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Tampa.

On April 26, the teen was arrested for bringing a loaded firearm concealed in his backpack onto school property and then placing the firearm inside a large tractor tire outside of the school next to the bike rack.

The location of the firearm was reported to school staff who quickly located and secured the firearm. The school resource deputy responded and seized a loaded Bersa Thunder .380-caliber semi-auto handgun.

The teen fled from the school prior to being arrested. The defendant's mother located him and returned him to the school.

Image via Google Earth

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