Volusia County Students Arrested for School Shooting Threats

Two students, ages 13 and 14, were arrested overnight between Thursday and Friday after allegedly posting threats on social media about a potential school shooting at Heritage Middle School in Deltona, Florida. The students reportedly used TikTok and Instagram to post their threats. Authorities emphasized that these types of threats, even if intended as jokes, would be taken seriously. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) assured the public that anonymous social media accounts are traceable, discouraging such dangerous behavior.

No credible threats have been discovered to any Volusia County schools, but both the VSO and Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin are urging parents to educate their children about the severe consequences of making violent threats. Parents are also being asked to report any suspicious behavior or threats, regardless of how serious they may seem. This comes just days after two other students in Daytona Beach, aged 10 and 11, were arrested for similar threats at Halifax Academy and Westside Elementary School. One of these students was found in possession of a BB gun and ammunition.

These recent incidents are part of a broader, troubling trend of school threats across the U.S., with the nation still mourning the recent shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. In that incident, a 14-year-old gunman tragically took the lives of four individuals and injured nine others. According to data, school shootings have been increasing sharply since 2017. For instance, 2022 marked the deadliest year on record for school shootings, with 308 incidents leading to 71 deaths and 206 injuries. The 2018 shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, still stands as one of the most tragic, where 17 people were killed, and another 17 were injured. Survivors of this event have played a crucial role in pushing for stronger regulations on firearms and ammunition.

Read More News:

• Florida Schools Battle Surge in Shooting Threats: Authorities Issue Warnings
• Two Teens to Be Tried as Adults in Fatal Sanford Shooting Over Headphones

For more detailed coverage on these concerning trends, visit News Daytona Beach. The continuous rise in school threats underscores the importance of community vigilance and proactive measures to protect students from harm.