CASSELBERRY, Fla. — There was an increased security presence Thursday at South Seminole Middle School and Casselberry and Sterling Park elementary schools after officials discovered a threatening post on the middle school's Instagram account, Seminole County Public Schools said.
Police said a student at the middle school threatened to fire weapons and place destructive devices at the three schools.
Investigators said they arrested the 12-year-old girl, whose identity hasn't been released.
Although the threat is considered non-credible, a security presence was increased at both schools because the campuses are adjacent to one another, school district spokesman Michael Lawrence said Wednesday in an emailed statement.
"One of the messages we want to make loud and clear is behavior that is threatening and capitalizing on the fear of others will not be tolerated in Seminole County," Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said Thursday during a news conference.
This morning, there are several Casselberry police officers at South Seminole Middle School following a threat on social media. There’s also an increased presence at the school next door, which is Casselberry Elementary. Live coverage on #TV27 pic.twitter.com/8f1Hbv5aaE
— Ty Russell (@TRussellCBS4) February 22, 2018
"Although we believe many of these threats of violence to be non-credible and perpetuated for the purpose of disrupting learning, we take these threats very seriously, will fully investigate each one and are committed to ensuring the safety and security of your children while they are on our campus," school officials said Wednesday in a letter to students' parents.
Police said the girl has never been in trouble before and that she was upset about students making fun of the shooting in Parkland, Florida.
She thought by making the threats, she would demonstrate how serious such incidents can be, investigators said.
The girl was booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center on charges of threatening to discharge a destructive device.
A 13-year-old Oviedo boy was also arrested for threatening to shoot up Jackson Heights Middle School, police said.
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