The Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) in east-central Florida arrested and detained two more teenagers on Wednesday for allegedly threatening to commit a school shooting, following the arrest of another teenager two days earlier on the same charges.
Trinity Mack, 17, and Brayden Severance, 16, are facing felony charges after allegedly threatening to shoot up the school on Snapchat and claiming it was a “joke,” VCSO Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. saidSheriff Chitwood also released him. video Police officers are seen detaining the two men.
“I'm going to shoot up the school,” Mack allegedly wrote in a statement, according to Sheriff Chitwood, and screenshots of the post were shown on the video.
“Same,” Severance reportedly replied.
Sheriff Chitwood added that the pair made the comments in apparent defiance of a warning issued immediately by the school, T. DeWitt Taylor Junior-Senior High School. (RELATED: Florida police say large amount of weapons discovered during search of 11-year-old boy)
“Schools in Volusia County and across the state have seen an increase in threats over the past week.” statementpublished jointly by the school and VCSO, was published in part.
“Students or individuals found responsible for spreading threats or false information will face serious consequences,” the statement warned. “This may include school-level disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion, as well as possible legal action, including arrest.”
“Parents, raise your kids,” Sheriff Chitwood said in the video. “Don't let Sheriff Chitwood raise your kids. This is completely ridiculous. Talk to the families who lost loved ones in school shootings. Do these idiots think this is funny? Talk to a parent and see how funny this is.”
Their arrests follow the arrest of Creekside Middle School student Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli, 11, by VCSO for “writing mass shooting threats,” Sheriff Chitwood said. To be announced separately.
Dorelli allegedly had a hit list but told police it was all a joke, and also showed off to other students on video his collection of airsoft guns, pistols, fake ammunition, knives, swords and other weapons, all of which VCSO reportedly recovered.
Dorelli reportedly faces possible felony charges.
One of the recent school shootings cost VCSO $21,000 in damages, Sheriff Chitwood said. saidThe suspect's parents will have to cover the costs, he said. Added.
Sheriff Chitwood said VCSO has recorded 207 similar threats so far this year, and seven people have been arrested so far for writing death threats.
“If I [in] “Either way, if it turns out the parent knew what was going on and did nothing, you will be arrested along with him,” he warned.
