UFPD arrests 14-year-old for threatening to commit mass shooting at P.K. Yonge
Press release from University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida police (UFPD) arrested a 14-year-old P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School student after he sent a text message in which he threatened he would commit a shooting at the school.
The student was arrested on Sunday and charged with one count of written threats to conduct a mass shooting, which is a felony charge in Florida. UFPD is withholding his name because of his age, and he is being charged as a minor.
The teen sent the text message around 11 p.m. Saturday. UFPD learned of the incident overnight.
“This is one of those matters where we must act swiftly, given the rise of these threats and acts nationwide,” said Bart Knowles, interim UFPD chief. “I’m grateful for the expeditious work of our officers to ensure that our campuses remain safe at all times.”
The 14-year-old was taken to the Alachua Regional Juvenile Detention Center on Sunday.
“Keeping our school community safe is our utmost priority at P.K. Yonge,” said Brian K. Marchman, director and superintendent of P.K. Yonge. “We take any threat to safety seriously and are fully cooperating with law enforcement in this investigation.”
That’s very sad. Do they screen applicants by any chance? Just wondering ….
Hello⁉️
Well, do they? I’m not a parent…
There is an application process, but children are chosen to be able to attend by a lottery like system.
I’m assuming, since they refuse to post their name, even though it’s a felony and he should be charges as adult like all other kids in the state of Florida who’s been arrested for this must because of who their , parents or grandparents are poor kids don’t get into PK yonge
This is such an ignorant comment.
Absolutely!! Every school has problems & every school has strong points
Wrong, only UNscreened schools have “these problems”.
No child should be charged as an adult, period. As I always say, monsters are made, not born. Why is this child so troubled?
Good question why was he so troubled ?
I agree. Dr Prizzia and I will be discussing the harsh treatment citizens are getting in Alachua County. We are trying to reduce the prison population!!!
If he can’t drive or vote because he is not an adult don’t charge him as an adult.
Have to ask base on your statement a 14 year old kills one of your close family members your ok with him not being charged as an adult and getting out of juvenile prison at 18 years old
That’s not true. We are personally know 2 family who are in middle classes & from single parent households that accepted into PK Yonge.
Need to always release names and mugs. Not doing so is an outdated woke policy.
Who did the kid send the text to ? The School ? Another kid ? These stories always seem to be unfinished. He’s ruined for life now, he’ll be a graduate of the state.
These kids have the misconception that this is cool. I hope these kids learn a harsh lesson.
There needs to be consequences for neglectful parenting. When juveniles commit crimes, the parents’ names need to be released to the public.
Giving a child access to electronic communication devices without a proper and stern training about what things are illegal to say, even as a “joke”, is pure negligence.
Kids also need to understand that anything they say or post can be captured and reposted, so don’t say or do anything you wouldn’t want your father or mother to see.
If the schools don’t have specific annual training on this, they should implement. Training should include examples of previous events and what happened to the perpetrators as a deterrent.
I agree. Parents should be surtaxed or credited based on their kid’s behavior. Extra tax credit for good grades.
I completely disagree! Parents can talk to their kids until they are blue in the face but that doesnt always mean their kids are gonna listen. Im sure you along with everybody else has dumb stuff as a kid when your parents told you not too.
We can agree to disagree then. To me, dumb kid stuff is shooting each other with fireworks or trying to jump over another kid with your bike. I don’t think it is particularly difficult to prevent a child from making bomb threats or threatening shooting events like this.
Smart kids will understand why it is wrong and act accordingly out of empathy and maturity, while the dumb ones can be kept in line by the sure consequence of getting caught and having their PS5, cellphone, etc. permanently taken away from them. The conversation just has to happen.
I’m sure there are some kids that are just unreachable but we shouldn’t be seeing outbreaks like this.
Good. Quick action by school and law enforcement as it should be. Make an example of him.
Polk County would be doing the appropriate “perp walk” and yes to Adult Court
Aren’t most of these school shooters very young like this kid? So the police did the right thing, who knows if this sick little perv would have followed through or not. But do you want to take the chance he’d be shooting your kids? I don’t.