A 17-year-old student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., has been arrested after he allegedly threatened to “shoot up” the school that was the scene of a deadly attack in 2018.
ABC News reports that student, identified by authorities as Oliver Manik, is accused of sending a text message to some classmates Wednesday. People who saw the text became concerned and reported it to the Broward County's Sheriff's Office.
“I feel like school shooting tmrw (tomorrow). When I sneeze it’s a signal go to the bathroom OK. I hope y’all aren’t snitches," the text message said, according to a court affidavit.
Investigators arrested Manik at his home, and he has been charged with one count of writing a threat to conduct a mass shooting, authorities said.
The threat at Marjory Stoneman Douglas comes nearly four years after a former student entered the school and fatally shot 17 students and staff members. The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, has pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and is scheduled to be sentenced in January.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Principal Michelle Kefford notified parents of the latest threat with a robocall.
“I also want to remind all students and families how seriously any and all threats are taken," she said. "Parents, please speak with your children to remind them that any threat — even if they think it is a joke — will result in serious consequences. In Florida, a threat made against a school is a second-degree felony. Students also face school disciplinary measures as outlined in the Code Book for Student Conduct, including expulsion.”
WPLG-TV reports that Manik appeared in Broward County Juvenile Court Friday and is expected to be held in a juvenile detention center for at least three weeks. He has been suspended from school, and expulsion has been recommended.
