A 16-year-old Dunnellon High School student was arrested after a parent alerted local authorities about a threatening video that the teen allegedly posted on Snapchat.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the school resource officer at Dunnellon High School became aware of a threat made via Snapchat by a current student on Friday morning. A concerned parent had informed MCSO that her child would not be attending school because they were both “in fear.”
The school resource officer viewed the threatening Snapchat video, which allegedly showed a 16-year-old boy holding what appeared to be a rifle. In addition, the words “HE’S BAAAAACK” were displayed across the screen in red letters.
An investigation was conducted, and the school resource officer located the 16-year-old boy on campus. During an interview, the teen suspect allegedly confirmed that his Snapchat account had been used to post the threatening video.
Additionally, the teen admitted to owning an airsoft rifle at home, which he allegedly held during the Snapchat video.
MCSO deputies responded to the teen’s home. During a search, the deputies located several airsoft guns that “looked like firearms.” They also determined that an airsoft rifle had been displayed in the threatening video.
The teen suspect was arrested and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. He is being charged with sending a written threat to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism