DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — A 13-year-old Deerfield Beach Middle School student was arrested Wednesday after making a false report to a 911 dispatcher after losing a game, authorities announced Thursday.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the student called 911 shortly after 12:30 p.m., prompting deputies to respond to the school at 701 SE Sixth Ave.
“A short time later, Broward County Regional Communications also received reports of a possible threat to Cypress Bay High School in Weston,” a BSO spokesperson said in a news release. “BSO deputies and detectives with BSO TMU responded to both districts to investigate. Out of an abundance of caution, both schools were placed on lockdown.”
According to BSO, the first caller told the dispatcher they were “about to shoot the school (Deerfield Beach Middle).”
A BSO spokesperson said the caller was later identified as the Deerfield Beach Middle School student.
“He admitted to detectives that he was playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ and if he lost, he would have to call 911,” the spokesperson said. “He lost the game and then called the emergency number saying he was about to shoot the school.”
The teen was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
He faces charges of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, misuse of 911 and disruption of a school function, along with a felony charge of making a false report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner.
Detectives are also still investigating the threat made at 12:48 p.m. to Cypress Bay High School in Weston, which they said appears to be unrelated to the Deerfield Beach threat.
“This is not a game and there is nothing routine about these calls,” Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said in a statement. “Every report of a threat is thoroughly investigated and may lead to an arrest.”
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