PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (WSVN) - On Wednesday, the Pembroke Pines Police Department took a 16-year-old into custody on felony charges related to a threatening text sent regarding Charles W. Flanagan High School.
The teen sent the message on Thursday and it was shared among students. It included a disturbing statement, “Flanagans gonna get shoot up by magfag tomorrow,” alongside a photoshopped image of a cat holding a rifle.
“All I know is that there was a threat that was made, and everybody got it very quickly because everyone was sending it and it got reported very quickly,” said Omar Salem, a student.
In response to the alarming message, the school’s Threat Assessment Team was immediately activated, and the authorities identified the suspect as a former student of the school. After the police officers interviewed the suspect and his mother, authorities determined that the suspect was visiting relatives out of state when the text messages were reported.
“I don’t think that they mean to actually come over here and shoot anybody, but you never know,” said Sylvia Ski, a grandmother.
Other parents voiced their concerns of a potential shooting.
“It as very scary because it was like, ‘OK, what is next?'” Liz Rothstein said. “It’s very scary. It’s never a joke.”
“My daughter was terrified. She didn’t want to go to school,” Larry Gold said. “It upsets the kids, it upsets the school, it disrupts everybody, and I think they need to be a little harsher on these kids.”
The initial investigation revealed that there was no active threat to the high school campus. Parents and students were notified through the police department’s social media platforms and the school administration.
During the interview, the suspect revealed that “magfag” was the name of his cat and that the text messages were intended as a joke. However, when the suspect returned to Pembroke Pines, he was taken into custody and charged with written threats to conduct a mass shooting.
Law enforcement officials want to emphasize that any threat made against a school, whether intended as a joke or a prank, will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Such actions can result in arrest and charges. Therefore, parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the severe consequences of making any kind of threat toward a school campus, students or staff.
Police have not released the identity of the 16-year-old. Some parents believe that they should.
The community is also encouraged to report any suspicious statements or threatening messages to the police department.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.