Message Prompts Tarpon Springs Parents To Keep Students Home

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Parents of Tarpon Springs Middle School students kept more than 100 students at home today because of a threatening message written on the wall of a girls’ bathroom at the school.

The message, written Friday, March 2, read: "I'm coming for this school on 3-5-18 be ready!"

Tarpon Springs Police said the message was interpreted as a threat of death or injury to students and staff at the school.

Fearful parents kept students home and the Tarpon Springs Police Department increased its presence at the school Monday to reassure students and staff.

When school administrators and the school resource officer investigated, an eighth-grade girl admitting to writing the message on the bathroom wall. She said her actions were the result of school and home pressures.

She was charged with writing threats to do bodily harm and taken to the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center.

Image via Laura Doneghue Carpenter