A teenager in Florida has been arrested after posting a video that threatened a school shooting. Timothy A. Thomas, 17, a student at Elevation High School in Sanford, was taken into custody on Sunday. He now faces charges for making threats of mass violence.
Police became aware of the video on Saturday, which showed a male threatening to attack Seminole High School while displaying several firearms and vests. After identifying Thomas, officers found him at his home and arrested him without resistance.
During the arrest, police confiscated several weapons from Thomas’ residence. They described these items as extremely realistic Airsoft replicas, though it remains unclear if they were the same ones seen in the video threatening violence.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith commended the prompt action taken by his department and other agencies involved. He emphasized that their quick response likely prevented a serious tragedy and helped protect many lives. Smith expressed gratitude to various law enforcement partners, including the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Serita Beamon, Superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools, echoed this sentiment. She underscored the priority of student safety, stating that any threats would be met with serious and swift action.
This incident follows a separate case in Indiana where another teenager, Trinity Shockley, was arrested for planning a school attack. Shockley’s alleged plot was particularly alarming since it was set to coincide with the anniversary of the tragic Parkland shooting, which claimed 17 lives in 2018.
Cooler heads prevailed this time in Florida, but the rising number of school threats remains a serious concern for communities everywhere. For anyone with information about the recent threat, the Sanford Police Department encourages contacting them or using the Crimeline service, which allows anonymous tips.
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