CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – An 18-year-old woman was arrested on Friday for making threats about a school shooting, according to the Coral Springs Police Department.
Investigators said that Catrina Petit, a student at Taravella High School, sent the threat using another student’s name and computer access. Then, the threat was posted on social media, where it prompted law enforcement response at some school campuses.
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The message went viral on social media and, since no school was named, caused school districts across the state to issue warnings.
Okeechobee County Schools posted a photo of the threat on its Facebook page.
The threat read, in part:
“MARK THIS DATE: 5/5/23 I will shoot up the school and kill every student here. Tomorrow morning Friday @7:40 as soon as the bell rings but who knows I may do it during the day or after the school day or in between classes all I know is everyone must DIE spread the message. It would be a shame if you let kids roam the halls while I secretly shoot them to there (cq) death wouldn’t it?”
Around 4 p.m. Thursday, Local 10 News was alerted that Hollywood police responded to McArthur High School and Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies to Boyd Anderson High School possibly due to the school shooting threats.
On Thursday, Broward County Public Schools told Local 10 News it was aware of the threat, saying “while the message does not indicate a specific school, all threats are taken seriously.”
Law enforcement officials in South Florida took to social media Thursday evening to say that the incident was being investigated and was deemed non-credible.
Miami-Dade SchoolsPD posted at 7:25 a.m. Friday that they were aware of the threat and that the “screenshot” originated in Broward County.
We’re aware of hoax threats circulating online. We have a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy for this type of activity. All @MDCPS schools remain safe. Parents, speak to your children about the life-long consequences. #ItsNoJokeMDCPS https://t.co/Q85LmrJa63
— Miami-Dade Schools (@MDCPS) May 5, 2023
Petit is facing multiple felony charges, according to CSPD, who said that its threat management unit, along with BSO’s threat management unit and Broward Schools’ special investigative unit worked together to locate the source of the threat.
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