Threat at Palmetto High School results in criminal charges

A student has been charged with making a false threat against Palmetto High School school on social media.

The posted threat was not deemed credible, and the 15-year-old boy readily admitted to police the threat was a joke, Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler said. He has been charged with a felony crime but has not yet been formally arrested.

“He admitted to posting it, and he said he did it as a joke,” Tyler said.

The boy, whose name has not been released by the police, is being charged under a new statute that went into effect in July. The new statute specifically addresses threats made through social media. Tyler said this was the first time the Palmetto Police Department has charged someone using the new statute.

Parents and the school were notified of the incident through a pre-recorded phone call sent home to Palmetto parents by principal Carl Auckerman.

On Thursday morning, it came to the attention of the school staff there was a post on social media related to PHS. The school resource officer and the Palmetto Police Department were able to identify the person who made the threat. In the message, Auckerman said the person is facing possible criminal charges, “as well as serious school district disciplinary measures.”

“I want to assure you the posted threat is not deemed credible, and I want to thank law enforcement and our SRO for their quick action,” Auckerman said in the message. “Once again, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2016 at 10:32 AM with the headline "Threat at Palmetto High School results in criminal charges."