Frustrated by a recent surge in fake school shooting threats, a sheriff in Florida took action by releasing a mugshot on Monday of an 11-year-old boy accused of making threats against a middle school.

On Friday, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced that minors who make threats of school violence would be publicly identified, including their names and mugshots. This decision follows a report indicating that at least 54 threats were reported last week via Fortify Florida, an app designed for reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement and school authorities.

Chitwood stated that law enforcement and school officials in Volusia County worked extensively to investigate these threats, all of which were found to be false. He described the ongoing issue of school shooting hoaxes as “totally out of hand,” resulting in nearly $21,000 in costs to law enforcement.

“Since parents, you don’t want to raise your kids, I’m going to start raising them,” Chitwood remarked at the Friday news conference. “Every time we take someone into custody, your child’s photo is going to be released. If I can, I will parade your child in front of everyone to show what they are involved in.”

On Monday, Chitwood stood by his decision by posting the full name, mugshot, and a video of the 11-year-old being taken to a cell. Since he is a minor, the boy is not being named by YSL News. He is facing felony charges for allegedly issuing a written threat of a mass shooting.

“I can and will publish the names and photos of minors committing felonies, threatening students, disrupting schools, and wasting law enforcement resources,” Chitwood stated in a Facebook post.

The sheriff’s social media posts received widespread attention, with many people praising his approach and calling for the boy’s parents to be held responsible. Conversely, some criticized Chitwood, questioning the morality of publicly shaming minors.

Video Shows Officers Bringing 11-Year-Old into Jail

The 11-year-old was arrested for allegedly threatening a shooting at either Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School in Port Orange, located just south of Daytona Beach, Florida, according to the sheriff.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday that investigators were alerted by a tip through Fortify Florida about the boy making threats and reportedly displaying weapons in a video chat. He allegedly prepared a written list of names and targets.

Upon searching his room, authorities supposedly found a “substantial amount” of airsoft guns, pistols, and fake ammunition, as well as knives, swords, and other weaponry. They also recovered the aforementioned list of names and targets.

According to the sheriff’s office, the boy claimed the threat was meant as a joke. He was subsequently taken into custody and sent to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before being transferred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Social media footage showed the weapons retrieved by investigators before transitioning to footage of officers escorting the boy into a facility with an empty cell. In the video, the boy is seen in handcuffs as he enters the building, and later footage shows an officer placing ankle cuffs on him.

Increase in False School Shooting Threats Following Georgia Incident

The boy’s arrest is part of an alarming pattern of similar cases happening nationwide. Sheriff Chitwood reported last Friday that local authorities had received 207 threats for the 2024-2025 academic year.

“We have apprehended seven individuals for making serious threats; in one case, a student attempted to bring a loaded gun to a football game at Mainland High School,” Chitwood noted. “This year alone, we have had 11 weapons discovered on our campuses.”

In addition to this incident, two middle school students were arrested the previous week for posting threats about shooting up a school on TikTok and Instagram.

The wave of violent threats against schools has intensified following a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia earlier this month, leading to the apprehension of minors, the closure of schools, lockdowns, and increased law enforcement activity, as reported by YSL News.

Contributions from: Patricio G. Balona, Daytona Beach News-Journal