Braden River High School Student Arrested After Social Media Threats
A ninth-grade student from Braden River High School was arrested early Monday, September 15, after authorities say he made threats on Snapchat about carrying out a mass shooting at the school.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received reports around 10:30 p.m. Sunday that a 14-year-old had posted messages threatening to shoot multiple people. The student was identified and taken into custody on charges of written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, a second-degree felony.
Deputies searched the student’s home and determined he did not have access to unsecured firearms. The teen is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.
As a precaution, additional deputies were present on campus on Monday. Braden River High School Principal Wendell Butler notified families that the school continues to work with law enforcement and the School District of Manatee County to investigate any threats that affect the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors.
Officials emphasized that all threats are taken seriously and carry significant legal consequences. Families are encouraged to speak with students about the seriousness of posting or sharing threatening messages.
The district has posted resources for parents on how to discuss school threats and violence with their children on its website. Community members can report suspicious or dangerous behavior anonymously through the FortifyFL app at getfortifyfl.com.