PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Deputies arrested an 11-year-old on Monday after he sent text messages about him taking part in a shooting at Pinellas Park Middle School, according to the sheriff's office.
The boy also sent a picture of what appeared to be an AR-15 in one of the messages, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
When confronted, the child denied sending the messages but claimed they were a joke, deputies said. A BB gun was reportedly found that resembled an AR-15.
The 11-year-old faces a charge of written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting.
Anyone with information about additional threats is asked to call the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at 727-582-6200.