Press release from University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida police (UFPD) arrested a 14-year-old P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School student after he sent a text message in which he threatened he would commit a shooting at the school.
The student was arrested on Sunday and charged with one count of written threats to conduct a mass shooting, which is a felony charge in Florida. UFPD is withholding his name because of his age, and he is being charged as a minor.
The teen sent the text message around 11 p.m. Saturday. UFPD learned of the incident overnight.
“This is one of those matters where we must act swiftly, given the rise of these threats and acts nationwide,” said Bart Knowles, interim UFPD chief. “I’m grateful for the expeditious work of our officers to ensure that our campuses remain safe at all times.”
The 14-year-old was taken to the Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention Center on Sunday.
“Keeping our school community safe is our utmost priority at P.K. Yonge,” said Brian K. Marchman, director and superintendent of P.K. Yonge. “We take any threat to safety seriously and are fully cooperating with law enforcement in this investigation.”