Florida Sheriff Shares Mug Shot of 11-Year-Old Charged in Fake School Shooting Threat

Frustrated by a surge in false school shooting threats, a Florida sheriff has taken a bold step by releasing the mug shot of an 11-year-old accused of making threats against a middle school. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood made headlines last week when he announced that minors who threaten school violence would be publicly identified in an effort to deter such behavior.

During a recent news conference, Chitwood stated, "Since parents, you don't want to raise your kids, I'm going to start raising them." He emphasized that each arrest would be accompanied by the offender's name and photo, aiming for "public embarrassment." His remarks came after authorities received over 54 tips about school threats in a single week via the Fortify Florida app, which allows citizens to report suspicious activities.

Chitwood described the wave of hoaxes as "absolutely out of control," revealing that it cost local authorities nearly $21,000 in resources. He defended his approach on social media, stating, "I can and will release the names and photos of juveniles committing these felonies, threatening our students, and disrupting our schools."

The 11-year-old boy, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age, was charged with a felony for allegedly making written threats of a mass shooting. According to the sheriff's office, he had displayed weapons during a video chat and kept a list of names and targets. Investigators found multiple airsoft guns, knives, and other weapons in his room.

While Chitwood's decision has drawn support from some community members, others have raised ethical concerns about exposing minors online. The boy was taken into custody and processed at the Volusia Family Resource Center before being referred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

This incident follows a troubling trend of similar threats across the country, particularly after a recent shooting in Georgia. Local authorities reported a total of 207 threats for the current school year, leading to multiple arrests and increased security measures in schools.