10-Year-Old Arrested After Threatening to Bring Gun to Florida Elementary School, Leaving 'Kill List'

 

A 10-year-old boy was arrested this week after authorities say he wrote a threatening message on a classroom whiteboard at Pride Elementary School stating he would bring a gun to school and left behind a handwritten list of people he allegedly planned to kill.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office responded to the school in Deltona after the disturbing writings were discovered. In permanent marker on the whiteboard, the student reportedly wrote that he intended to bring a gun to campus. A separate note found in a desk was labeled something to the effect of "list of people who I'm gunna kill" and named three specific individuals.

Deputies took the boy into custody on a felony charge of making a written threat to kill. During questioning, the child claimed he did not mean the statements seriously. His parents informed investigators that he had no access to firearms or weapons of any kind.

The sheriff's office promptly notified the families of those named on the list to ensure their awareness and safety. No injuries occurred, and there was no indication the threat was imminent or that the student possessed any means to carry it out.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood addressed the incident publicly, underscoring the zero-tolerance approach to school threats: "This is another reminder to talk to your kids and teach them this lesson before they learn it in the juvenile justice system."

School officials and law enforcement have not released the boy's name due to his age. Pride Elementary remained open, with additional support provided to students and staff affected by the discovery.

This arrest comes amid a pattern of swift responses to potential school threats in Florida and nationwide, where even juvenile writings or statements can lead to serious charges to prioritize campus safety.

Authorities continue to investigate, and the case will proceed through the juvenile justice system.