VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Josephine Simmons Peters, also known as Christian, is the 12-year-old student who wrote a 13-step plan for a shooting at Southwestern Middle School, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the student’s plan described a murder suicide at Southwestern Middle School and included shooting classmates described as bullies and a school resource officer.

“It talks about where to hide in a ditch,” Chitwood said about the “manifesto” posted online. “It talks about how to bring the guns into the school.”

Chitwood said a Fortify FL app user submitted the anonymous tip that resulted in the arrest.

The case alarmed the school’s students and staff at 605 New Hampshire Ave. in DeLand, and the community in the Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach metropolitan area.

The student faced charges of making written threats to kill and misuse of a two-way communication device.

Sanela Sabovic

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.

Deputies arrest 12-year-old student over 13-step school shooting plan in Florida

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Sanela Sabovic

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