13-year-old arrested for threatening to shoot up Pines Middle School

PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) - A 13-year-old boy has been arrested for threatening to shoot up Pines Middle School.

According to Pembroke Pines Police, officers were made aware of the threatening statement made by the boy via an Instagram group chat, Sunday afternoon.

Police said the chat was made up of nine juveniles, and the student made the threat after having an argument with some of the others.

“He was saying that he was going to shoot up the school ’cause this kid got him mad,” said a Pines student.

One of the juveniles on the chat then alerted authorities.

An investigation by the Pembroke Pines Police Department’s Threat Assessment Team was immediately launched, and an arrest was made Sunday night.

Police responded to the teen’s home, where he admitted to making the threat as a joke.

But for the families of Pines students, this threat is no laughing matter.

“Fear, obviously a lot of fear,” said Lulu Gamez, whose daughter is a Pines student. “This is crazy, what’s going on with these kids these days.”

“I think that’s very alarming for a 13-year-old to be threatening,” said Melanie Ramos, the sister of a Pines student. “I think that’s something that the school, as well as the guidance counselors should speak more to the students because that’s something psychological. Maybe he’s mentally [unstable]. Maybe that’s the case, maybe not. Maybe he needs help.”

The 13-year-old has been charged with a second-degree felony for making false threats concerning the use of a weapon.

“That’s a crime, threatening people. Even if it’s joking or not,” said a Pines student.

The teen was given a notice to appear in court.

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