HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A 13-year-old student at Dowdell Middle Magnet School is facing serious charges after posting a threat to “shoot up” the school on social media.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip about the threat early Wednesday morning. Detectives quickly responded to the school and took Carmen Roman into custody.
Roman claimed the post was intended as a joke, but she was charged with Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
No weapons were found in Roman’s possession. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed his concern over the recent spate of online threats, emphasizing their serious consequences.
“It’s horrific to see that, in just two days, we’ve had students making online threats as jokes. Let me be clear. These threats are not funny, and they come with serious consequences. I urge parents to talk to their children about the severity of their actions and the lasting repercussions they can have,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I want to commend the person who reported the threat, allowing our detectives to act quickly and ensure the safety of both students and teachers at the school.”
Related: Bloodied Bad Guy Stabs Himself, Charges Officers With A Cross On Video, LEO Talk Show
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.