An 11-year-old sixth grader was arrested and charged with a second-degree felony for threatening to shoot a student at Buddy Taylor Middle School as a result of an argument over a girl.
Such arrests are more often than not the result of children making errant statements and bad jokes. That does not appear to be the case with this latest arrest, which involves numerous threats, repeated, violent language and threats to involve others. The case is more startling considering the age of the alleged assailant.
His target told authorities he had not initially reported the threats to his father because “he did not think a 6th grader could carry out a threat like that,” according to the alleged assailant’s arrest report.
The sixth grader had formerly attended Buddy Taylor, but was transferred to a school in Daytona Beach after winter break.
The threats were initially reported by a student who had formerly dated the alleged assailant, and was now dating a different boy–the boy who appears to be the target of the alleged threats. The argument was over a girl.
She had picked up the thread of concerning messages between the 6th grader and other boys on a social media app, which she showed a dean at the school.
The messages showed that the alleged assailant, who lives in Palm Coast’s E Section, was wanting to fight others at Ralph Carter Park near Rymfire Elementary, that he would put two bullets in a boy’s chest, or bring his “Bunnell boys” who have guns to the fight. Another message intimated he would put “30 in his chest,” a threat later repeated. The boy messaged that he had not spent $900 on a gun for no reason.
There are no indications that the boy acquired weapons. But the school resource deputy who investigated the case at Buddy Taylor noted to the target of the alleged threats that delaying notification to someone about the messages was not a good idea, in light of a recent, similar incident involving threats. In that case, however, the students had acquired guns, and had intended to confront other teens at Holland Park, but were halted before they had a chance to. (See: “Dad’s Alert Over His Son’s Gun Thefts Leads to Arrest of Boys, 15 and 16, Before Confrontation.”)
“Deputies made contact with the former student at his residence where the student admitted he had
sent the messages and turned over his phone as evidence,” a sheriff’s release states. The student was processed at the county jail then turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice, which typically releases the student back to a parent’s custody pending the resolution of the case in juvenile court.
“We don’t like making these arrests, but we will come knocking on your door if your child makes any threat to harm someone,” Sheriff Rick Staly was quoted as saying in an agency release. “Parents, talk to your kids and be the Sheriff in your home. Thank you to the student who alerted school administration who then alerted the SRD.”
Just the Truth says
This, coupled with teachers receiving less than a 0.5% raise, plus belligerent parents, limiting and restricting teacher’s safety, constant abuse from students… yep, Flagler Schools has it all! Small wonder schools around here lose teachers on a daily basis. A hearty shout-out to the school board and Superintendent Middlestadt for prioritizing faculty and staff…
ASF says
It sounds like a in-depth psychological evaluation of this minor and an equally in-depth evauation of his home enviroinment are urgently called for. Ankle monioring may not be a bad idea, at least until his potential dangerousness is assessed.
No firearms should be allowed in any home this child resides in.
Important Mom says
SO my son was actually INJURED bruised and cut on the head with a paper crown that was pushed into his skin till he BLED, while he was mocked and knocked to the ground and harassed MULTIPLE TIMES at old kings elementary to the point I had to remove him. The school cop and staff were aware and did NOTHING and he is a DISABLED child full disability with social security ….. no arrest no punishment just excuses… then I read about this. Im glad we moved.
Lauie says
My opinion won’t be popular. Too much violence in video games, movies, TV, etc that kids watch fills their minds. Kids can’t separate reality from games and acting . The value of human life means nothing. There’s so much evil in the world, and where would a 6th grader get $900 from for a gun? The world and our schools need Jesus back in them. No way to sugar coat that.
Concerned Citizen says
Or maybe the perp is just an asshat. They come in all ages you know. Yet we always seem to want to throw the mental health card down right away. There is also no excuse of age on this one. At 11 you know right from wrong.
I’m more concerned about the mental health of his victim. And fellow students involved.With the recent rise of school violence, Schools and Law Enforcement can no longer delay on acting on these type of threats. Hopefully he is removed permanently from Public Schools. Before he victimizes someone else
DMFinFlorida says
@ Lauie … your opinion is VERY popular with me. I read an article earlier today about a small European country where a lot of American expats live. Their public safety was ranked #6 in the world (study done in 2022). Guess where the US was … 122nd!
I am so glad my kids are all young adults out on their own. I would NOT want to be raising them now and here! My parents would about have a heart attack if I wanted to go to a movie “rated M for mature,” possibly because there was profanity at some point. Now a six-year-old can just pick up a smart phone or tablet (I’ve watched it with other people’s kids) and access whatever they want including nudity and extreme violence (unless the parent was smart enough to lock it to child-appropriate only).
I don’t advocate going back to the 1950’s by any means, but this is frightening.