TAMPA, Fla. — Tonight, a Clearwater father is being held without bond after reportedly threatening his son's school.
Investigators said Esteban Del Valle, 35, threatened Gorrie Elementary School in Tampa, targeting teachers. According to authorities, the incident stemmed from his son's school suspension.
In court, Tampa Police Detective Ryan Khun said Del Valle was on speakerphone during a meeting with his child's mother and school administrators to discuss that suspension. After an argument, the child's mother hung up on him, then police said Del Valle texted her the threat.
The text was read aloud by Khun in court: "I'm on my way b**ch, I'll be there and be the one to shoot up that b**ch, no kids, all teachers. They think I'm playing about my son. You and they will hear me."
In court, Khun said the student's suspension was also related to a threat.
"Their son was in trouble with the school for a verbal threat to the school. He'd said he was going to do a shooting at the school," Khun said. "[Del Valle] just wasn't happy about the way it was handled and when I spoke with him, he felt like his son was being demonized."
Del Valle's criminal history includes domestic battery and battery against a law enforcement officer. State Attorney Suzy Lopez said his record points to dangerous anger issues.
"The judge agreed he's a danger to our community. At the time of arrest, he was found with ammunition after threatening to shoot up a school," Lopez said.
The state attorney's office fought to have him held without bond.
"The state had an option, it was a discretionary motion that we filed. But we felt it was the right thing to do to keep the community safe and the judge agreed," Lopez added.
Tonight, a mother of two Gorrie Elementary students, who did not wish to be identified, said parents weren't told about the student's alleged threat.
"Knowing the details that came out at the hearing today, knowing the details of why this student was suspended in the first place, is very unsettling," she said.
The Hillsborough County School District said they can't comment on student discipline, however, they said the facts presented in court about the student are not accurate. The school district would not elaborate on what facts are wrong.
10 Tampa Bay followed up with the Tampa Police Department about the discrepancy. Tampa police told us, "Based on information provided by school personnel, the statements our detective made in court today were accurate."