A 15-year-old’s Snapchat post Sunday afternoon prompted an increased police presence at his school Monday, according to Port St. Lucie police.
The teen, who was not identified publicly, is accused of posting a threatening photo on the social media platform Snapchat. The post was that of a photo showing several guns with a caption that read, “If the Pats (Patriots) win don’t come tmr (tomorrow).”
The post was reposted with comments and spread over social media, according to police.
The teen was neither arrested nor detained at the time of contact with the police department. Police spokesperson Senior Sgt. Lisa Marie Carrasquillo said the agency is consulting with the State Attorney’s Office regarding the potential for charges to be filed against the teen.
Port St. Lucie police were tipped off to the post and worked with St. Lucie County School Security to identify the poster. Sunday evening, detectives identified the person as a 15-year-old male student who attends Centennial High School.
Detectives made contact with the teen’s parents and searched the home for the guns shown in the post. No weapons were found, police said. Investigators determined that the teen used a photo taken from a different social media platform.
Centennial High School saw an increase in law enforcement presence, with members from Port St. Lucie police, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and school security keeping watch. Though the investigation continues, there were no incidents reported at the school Monday.
Authorities continue to remind students and families alike that threats are taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly.
“This investigation brings much concern to the police department, as much as to the St. Lucie Public Schools and to the citizens in our community,” Senior Sgt. Carrasquillo told St. Lucie Voice. “We want to drive home the importance of how much time, effort and resources are poured into these types of investigations and how someone whether intentional or non-intentional may face serious consequences for poor decision making. It is very important for parents to educate their children /students on what should and should not be posted.”
Attempts to reach the St. Lucie Public Schools spokesperson for comment were not immediately successful.