Deputies arrested a former Indian River County student early Friday after he posted social media threats targeting three local schools, according to the sheriff’s office and school district.
People saw the threats from the former student on a social media app called Snapchat, and reported the incident late Thursday, school and sheriff’s officials said. The threats come as county students began their first week of school and as a new sheriff’s tip line was created.
“Thanks to a multi-agency effort this young man is in custody now with charges pending,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a statement. “Our deputies and detectives worked all night to ensure another safe school day, just as our School Resource Team does every day. Kudos to those who brought the threat to our attention.”
The former student, 17, made threats to Sebastian River High School, Vero Beach High School and Sebastian River Middle School, school and sheriff’s officials said. Neither deputies nor school officials commented on details about the threat.
2/3 Tweets:
The former student made threats toward SRHS, VBHS, and SRMS. Our current students did not make any threatening comments. The IRCSO was able to locate the individual who made the threats, who currently resides in another county. pic.twitter.com/wi19uHskTB— Indian River Schools (@IRCSchools) August 17, 2018
Detectives quickly identified the teenager as a suspect.
Deputies learned the teen had not attended school in the county since 2015, according to the sheriff’s office. The teen now lives in Hernando County.
Deputies detained the teen with help from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with tips regarding safety at school campuses should contact the sheriff’s tip line at 772-978-6000 or schooltips@ircsheriff.org.
No further details were immediately available.
