Man Accused Of Threatening To Shoot Teachers At Seffner School

BRANDON, FL — A 31-year-old Brandon man made a threat online to carry out a mass shooting on Thursday at Seffner Christian Academy, where he is an alum, according to law enforcement.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says Zachary Brines posted the threat Thursday on a Facebook page dedicated to Seffner Christian Academy alumni.

According to police, the post by Brines said: "Go to school packing heat and just open fire on all my enemies. Mostly the school teachers and front office administration.”

Another user took a screenshot of the post and shared it with investigators, said authorities.

Detectives say Brines deleted the post later that day.

Deputies responded to Brines’ home in Brandon on Thursday night. Brines was questioned about the post, but investigators say he refused to talk without an attorney.

“We take the safety and security of our Hillsborough County schools very seriously," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Whenever a threat is made against a school, its students or staff, we have to assume it is credible. As students across Hillsborough County head back to school this month, hopefully, this incident will serve as a reminder that making threats online to harm others is unacceptable, and regardless of your age, you will face the consequences for your actions.”

Officials arrested Brines, who faces charges of written threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, authorities reported.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, he was also Baker Acted.

No firearms were located within Brines' residence, said deputies.

Ahead of the first day of in-person classes on Monday, Aug. 31, Sheriff Chronister is encouraging parents to talk to their students about the dangers of making school threats. A PSA on this subject has been shared on the HCSO Sheriff YouTube channel. The video is included below: