HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has arrested a 15-year-old student for making an online threat against Bloomingdale High School.
On September 5, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the HCSO’s School Threat Assessment and Response Team was alerted after a student posted a threatening message on social media.
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Detectives met with Avery Rhodes, the student in question, who had posted a photo on Snapchat with the caption, “ok imma shoot the school up.” Rhodes was taken into custody and charged with one count of Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism and one count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
“This behavior is not a joke,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Threatening the safety of our schools, whether online or in person, will not be tolerated. We will pursue anyone who makes these threats to the fullest extent of the law. The safety of our students and teachers is non-negotiable, and we will not hesitate to take action.”
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At this time, detectives do not believe Rhodes had access to any weapons.
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