In an effort to combat a rising number of false school shooting threats targeting schools in Florida, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has taken a new approach by publicly posting mugshots of offenders on social media. The sheriff expressed frustration over the disruptive nature of these hoaxes, which have been diverting law enforcement resources and causing panic among students and parents.
Sheriff Chitwood’s decision was made public through social media posts, where he warned parents that if their children are arrested for making threats, their mugshots will be shared with the public. In a video announcement, Chitwood highlighted the recent arrest of an 11-year-old boy who allegedly threatened a school shooting at Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School in Volusia County. The boy’s full name and mugshot were posted on the sheriff’s Facebook page.
The video showcasing the arrest of the boy, which garnered over 270,000 views on Facebook, displayed law enforcement officers seizing airsoft guns, pistols, fake ammunition, knives, and swords from the child. The footage also captured the boy being led in handcuffs into a facility by officers, dressed in a blue shirt and sweatpants.
The sheriff’s bold approach has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some applauding the move and urging for the public identification of the child’s parents or legal actions against them. However, there are also dissenting voices questioning the decision to publicly shame an 11-year-old and suggesting that accountability lies with the parents.
In line with Florida law, juvenile court records are typically not disclosed to the public, unless the child faces felony charges. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state have been monitoring a surge in threats since the start of the school year, with Broward County alone reporting nine arrests of students aged 11 to 15 for making threats.
Sheriff Gregory Tony of Broward County emphasized the seriousness of the situation during a press conference, urging parents and students to recognize the gravity of these actions and asserting that threats of school violence should never be taken lightly.