- The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 12-year-old for sending electronic threats of a mass shooting at Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School on Sept. 9 and Sept. 11.
- The investigation found the student did not have firearm access or intent to carry out a shooting, and authorities emphasized parental engagement in children's digital activity.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested a 12-year-old student on Friday in connection with multiple electronic threats to carry out a mass shooting at Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School.
According to a CCSO press release, the investigation began Wednesday, Sept. 9, after a juvenile in Hernando, Mississippi, reported receiving threatening messages in a chat group from another juvenile who stated he was going to “shoot up his school.” The Hernando Police Department worked with the CCSO for several days, sharing leads and digital evidence that helped identify a possible local connection.
Through investigative work, including coordination with school resource information and follow-up with a local family whose child was mentioned in the threats, detectives identified the phone number associated with the messages as belonging to a male student at Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School.
On Friday, CCSO school resource deputies went to the student’s residence in Lake City and met with him and his mother. With his mother’s consent, deputies searched the student’s cellphone. During a Miranda-rights interview, the student confirmed ownership of the phone number and admitted sending threatening messages about a planned mass shooting at the elementary school, including specific threats made Sept. 9 and Sept. 11.
The student also acknowledged sending photographs of “his walk to school” and firearms, which he said belonged to an out-of-state family member, to reinforce the threats.
The student was arrested, transported and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility pending pickup by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. The investigation determined the threats were verbal and that he did not have access to firearms or intend to carry out an actual school shooting.
CCSO expressed appreciation to the Hernando Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their partnership and rapid information-sharing, which assisted investigators in identifying the suspect and preventing potential harm to students and staff.
Message to Parents and Guardians
CCSO said the case underscores the importance of remaining engaged in children’s digital lives. Threats may first appear in text messages, social media posts or shared images before being reported to law enforcement.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to regularly check in on what their children are posting, sending and receiving online; maintain open conversations about their children’s social media experiences; and report concerning behavior immediately.
“Early awareness and communication can make all the difference in preventing tragedy,” the CCSO statement said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the CCSO at 386-719-2005. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099 or visit www.columbiacrimestoppers.net.