Last Updated: 10:12 a.m.
A 17-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student was arrested just before midnight Thursday after a Snapchat video sent under the name “Jimmy Boy,” showing ammunition and a message–“I’m ready to shoot up the school”–was detected by a county resident and traced back to the student. (See the video below.)
A sheriff’s deputy patrolling at the Flagler County fair was contacted by a woman who alerted him to the Snapchat video, of which she’d been told by a friend of her daughter’s.
The student immediately knew why a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy was contacting him by phone: “Yeah, this is about the video,” the student told the deputy. “It was a stupid joke and I took it down,” the student told the deputy. By then, however, the video had sped through innumerable accounts, distressing others.
Deputies converged on the student’s home at a duplex on Louisiana Drive in Palm Coast, where he was read his rights and further detailed how he had found the video on YouTube and decided to re-post it. He was arrested on a felony charge of “making threats to kill or do bodily harm or conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism.”
The Snapchat Video
His father told authorities that the 17 year old has no access to guns or ammunition at the house. The student’s parent, according to his arrest report, “asked if he had any say in the detention processes and stated the Department of Juvenile Justice should ‘keep him.'”
During the booking process, however, the student made comments that suggested self-harm and was Baker Acted at a psychiatric facility in Daytona Beach. He will be turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice after his observation period there ends, a sheriff’s spokesperson said.
“We don’t believe there’s any threat to the school, however we are going ton have added security at all the schools today as an added security measure,” the spokesperson said.
“As we have said many times before, this is not a joke and these threats will only get you in serious trouble,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “A special thank you to the fair visitor that reported the SnapChat posting. Cell phones and social media are a part of every child’s life these days and it is more important than ever for parents to pay attention to what their children are doing online. Let them know that if they make the wrong choice, they will face serious consequences. We have a zero tolerance policy for threats in Flagler County.”
The day before, the sheriff’s office filed a charge against a 12-year-old student who pulled out a small knife during an argument with another student over a seating assignment at Buddy Taylor Middle School, ending what until then had been a nearly two-month lull in security incidents at Flagler schools.
The sheriff said claiming after the fact that the act was a joke doesn’t cut it. “Too late, you make it, you put it in print, you say it, you’re going to jail,” Staly said on WNZF radio this morning. “There’s no exception. You make those kinds of statements, we’re going to investigate it thoroughly, we’re going to arrest you.” But he stressed there was no other credible threat to the school. He said “parents need to take control of their kids and need to understand we have a zero tolerance” for such acts.
The district’s Jason Wheeler sent out a recorded phone message to FPC parents just as the school day was under way. “The threats this student was alleged to have made was not against a specific school,” he said. “But they were serious in nature.” The message thanked the sheriff’s office’s quick response and that of residents who reported the Snapchat message. “We know in times like these parents may be weary about sending their children to school. We want to assure you we are working with the sheriff’s office to provide increased presence at our schools. Additionally, our on-campus security personnel as well as our teachers and staff remain vigilant on our campuses and in our classrooms. Safety on our campuses is our main priority. We have no credible evidence that there continues to be a threat on any of our campuses.”
For all the reassurances, some students were leaving FPC this morning.
The sheriff also cautioned against such issues getting amplified on social media beyond the facts of the case. “That adds to the height and it adds to the concerns,” he said, “but I certainly understand a parent feeling concerned, they don’t want a child going to school and never seeing them again.”
The charge is a third-degree felony. The State Attorney has the option of charging a juvenile as an adult.
Flagler parent says
As a parent, I am sick and tired of this!!! What the h*ll is going on??!?!?! Parents please start being parents! Know what your kids are doing. Shut off the video games!! Be involved in their lives!! Get them involved in non digital activities!! It is killing their developing brains and killing their souls!!! They do not have a proper concept of reality and repercussions of their actions. I never had to worry about going to school and getting home safe. As a parent I should not have to worry about dropping my kids off at school and them not coming home!! The school board and officials need to do more!! Get these problem kids out of our schools!! Make parents accountable!!
shaunte white says
Okay and what about how the school didn’t contact the parents immediately.
Flagler Mother says
Yes parents should be more aware of what their kids are doing and make them realize their actions can cause harm. But you are blaming video games really that’s not the issue at all I myself am an gamer did I ever do anything like this or even thought about it no!!!! How about stop putting blame where it doesn’t need to be and put it where it does. By teaching kids respect and the value of life itself and also bullying issue needs to addressed but most cases the shooter was bullied in some way or form.
Lisa May says
Yes! Most parents complaining it could be their kid who is doing the bullying. When my child went to middle and high school she was bullied awful and of course the teachers and principal said they’d take care of it. Yeah right! They made nothing stop At All. It was sickening when you found out ball players and cheerleaders were some of the involved kids who bullied mine.
FPC mom says
I was driving my son to school this morning. I decided to look at Facebook at a red light. That is when I saw the post about the threat on FPC I ended up turning around and taking him home. I finally got the call at 8:30 from the school. This is insane. I’m so over this. I am so ready to home school.
mark101 says
“”17-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student””, yet another kid that has gone stupid. . Maybe a week in jail might make him see the light,
Richard says
The students of today will be the future of our country and government. This country is doomed thanks to parents and students like the one described above. What was he thinking, where did he get his education, what is he being taught and possibly he needs to start using his brains for making life better versus doing stupid stuff all of his life.
Jeanna Passalaqua says
I received a robo call at 8:15AM. Thank you for the prompt notification
FPC parent says
I agree with Shaunte White, while I thank FCSO tremendously for their fantastic work, I am concerned as to why we, the parents were not informed of this incident until 8:31am this morning. School starts earlier and all of our children knew about the threat last night – so they were very upset this morning. My daughter went in late due to this – I hope that they are forgiving any tardiness. Even though she is in school, she says everyone is on edge – this is sad that our children have to go to school with the idea that they may not come home again……very sad.
Charles "Bub" Robson says
Until this state & this nation gets serious about mental health, these type of actions will continue. Back in the 70’S the state of Florida had (judicial revision) that closed most of mental holding facilities in the state. I along with other Law Enforcement Officers saw the up ti
ck in crime by the mentally ill almost immediately. Then came the Baker Act which is a joke. Under the Baker Act the mentally ill can only be held for 72 hrs. I had people that were baker Acted and not spend over an hour at the facility. Congrats to FCSO & the concerned citizen for taking this case seriously. Its time to reopen the mental holding & treatment centers. Hoping the young person in this case gets the help he needs.
Lisa May says
Agree 100%. Plus hold the bullies accountable and after telling school officials what the bullies are doing hold the school accountable when they do NOTHING to try to help the one being bullied tirelessly, every single day!
Charlie says
Cut the damn internet OFF to the whole planet for 1 year. Let’s get back to being NORMAL SOCIAL HUMANS.
This is ONLY going to get worse as time goes by. The violence on the 6:00 News EVERY NIGHT has 1 or 2 murders in Orlando or closer in Daytona Beach. World violence has increased 1000 % in the last 20 years. All caused by this damn internet, and people using it for violence.
Bruce says
I am a student at FPC and I think he deserves 1 year in jail.
Concerned parent says
Just to let u know they called all parent who has a child going to school I got one and my child in elementary I’m glad they did and your right this is gotta stop I’m afraid to send my child when the time comes to that school or middle school it’s sad that the sheriff department tell the kids if u do this no matter joking or not u will get in trouble and it seems like they don’t care they’ll still do.it parents need to be in there kids lives no matter what I have talk to my child n told her she can talk to me about anything and she does and I have also told my child to speak up if u see something u know is wrong
Fpc student says
Being a student at FPC is quite scary sometimes but I don’t blame the parents bc they do the best they can do. Kids make their own choices. Parents have nothing over that. Yes they should learn respect but not all kids have parents. Kids at FPC have broken homes. They just react before thinking. We all need someone to be there for us but Not all of us have that. And blaming someone isn’t gonna help this situation. Blaming is just gonna make it all worse. Why can’t we just be a community that helps instead of blaming?
steve says
Stupid is as stupid does. Don’t let it go. The very Tech that this generation(s) covet is there own downfall. The activity will not stop unless the hammer comes down. Make an example of this moron.
An FPC Teacher says
Good for you for taking ownership of your actions and holding others to that accord. More students need your mindset.
Folk nation says
I am a student at fpc and I think he deserves 5 years in prison to loose. That booty hole (:
Katherine says
Bravo!! Thank you for having the courage to share a smidge of your academic life experience with us “old folks”! I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts. I sincerely hope you never forget how to stand your sacred ground, because you’re crushing it right now!!🥳💃🤩🙌👏
Jennifer says
I am so tired of the why wasn’t I notified why did I have to wait? How about a big f’ing thank you. How about stop finger pointing. Due process. People sleeping and situation handled. How about thank you to both FPC and Sheriff’s office. I teach there with two boys and a husband that works there. There was no holding back of information. Stop the blame crap. Yet the entitlement continues and spreads. As soon as it’s legal to let parents know you know. So tired of finger pointing. Be grateful, be involved, raise and praise your children for speaking up. They are being robbed of their childhood at not fault of the police or school.
Upset says
Metal detectors are needed, why are the cist effective for a courthouse but not for our kids safety at schools? The kids arrive in buses and sit for 20 to 30 minutes before entering school, no need for longer school day. Put the campus police at the door of metal detectors as your security person. How hard is this to grasp. The parents of flagler county should demand this. Friday was very disruptive school day with alot of kids never arriving or leaving early.
Upset says
Metal dectectors sufficient for a school cost is $4,000 to $5,000.
Steve Robinson says
So, this was a school shooting that DIDN’T happen. The father says the boy had no access to guns or ammunition. Couldn’t possibly be any connection there, right?
who says
It would be awfully kind of students to realise that the world isn’t full of teachers whom are paid to tolerate them. They need to:
1) Get their heads out of their behinds;
2) Realise that their language and actions are cruel and unjustifiable; and
3) Take two (2) minutes to reflect on the political and societal climate right now, so that they can understand just how stupid they’re acting.
It’s almost as if they’ve yet to graduate from the third grade. Saying that it was “just a joke” does not, and will not ever, cut it.
Concerned Citizen says
You teens need to wake up and realize there is nothing remotely funny in making these comments. The DA needs to pursue more charges and start setting examples with strict sentencing.
Why do teens need smart phones and un monitored access to Social Media? We keep going back to platforms like Snapchat and Facebook everytime something happens. See the pattern?
And why are phones being allowed in school? If you forbid them it drops some of that time they have on them. And parents need to parent more and set restrictions and boundaries if they insist on giving phones to their kids. There are ways to restrict aps and usage.
I can remember my senior year of High School having to go to the Principal and getting permission to carry a Fire Dept pager because a lot of us volunteered. Now I see kids running around with the newest iPhone and Android devices. Why? If kids need a phone get them a flip phone. They are still around. Not as cool but it slows down the shenanigans.
MHP says
Mental Health services should be mandatory there is too much trauma in the world that goes undetected. Legislature needs to address the fact that a child SHOULDN’T need parent consent to go to see a mental health therapist, they don’t need it for substance abuse issues why should they need it for mental health treatment. Just this event alone caused trauma throughout an entire school system. That requires treatment. Bullying needs to stop, no one’s life is more valuable then another’s. We need to teach our children how to develop positive self esteem so when someone tells them to go kill themselves or that they are fat or ugly, that child looks at the other person and says something like, “are you okay today, comments like that can only mean you’re not happy with yourself, let’s go get you some help.”
gmath55 says
@ Concerned Citizen – What? “If kids need a phone get them a flip phone. They are still around. Not as cool but it slows down the shenanigans.”
I have a flip phone and it still has Wi-Fi and the Internet.
Concerned Citizen says
@gmath55
Regardless of the device restrictions can be set. Parents need to parent and set boundries. If you insist on your child having that top of the line phone engage restrictions and filters. I still don’t understand why an 11 year old needs an iPhone 10.
And can you honestly show me the positive influence daily access has to a teens life? Is Snapchat and Facebook detrimental to development? Every single incident involving threats from phones thus far has revolved around social media.
Kids need to engage their brains before their mouths/fingers. It isn’t funny to make any type of threat.