PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A teen student is behind bars Saturday afternoon after deputies say he made threats on social media to start a shooting in Pinellas County.
The 13-year-old was charged with written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting.
The teen sent messages in a group chat via Snapchat telling another student that he was going to take part in a shooting that would occur at Carwise Middle School in Palm Harbor, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Deputies say the teen said he would shoot the other student first if he told anyone about his plans. That's when the student who received the messages alerted his parents, who then called law enforcement.
The 13-year-old confessed to his actions after deputies went to his home to speak with him, but said his messages in the group chat were meant to be taken as a joke.
The teen was reportedly taken into custody and then transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center.
"The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office remains committed to keeping our schools, our children, and our community safe," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Anyone with information on any possible threats is urged to call the sheriff's office immediately at 727-582-6200.