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Increased threats to Pasco schools a concern for sheriff's office

Increased number of threats to schools in Pasco
Posted at 10:35 AM, May 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-11 17:08:59-04

Pasco County Sheriff's Office is addressing the recent increased threats on schools in the area.

There have been three different school threats investigated in the past five days. The first was at John Long Middle School, and ended in the arrest of two teen students who tried to recruit students to "shoot up the school."

Two more students are under investigation at R.B. Stewart Middle School in Zephyrhills after unsubstantiated rumors were circulating on social media about "two students" planning violence at the school. There have been no charges in that case, but there is an increased law enforcement presence today.

The third incident was Thursday morning, where a teen was arrested at Ridgewood High School after posting online that he was going to shoot up the school.

In Thursday's incident, deputies say a 16-year-old posted on Facebook that he was frustrated with rapper "Lil Uzi Vert," who did not drop his music, therefore he would shoot up the school.

Deputies talked to the teen and his mother along with her brother who owns the house. Two firearms were found in a lock box. The key was missing or lost, so the owners forced it open to show deputies the firearms were still inside.

The 16-year-old was arrested for false reports of hoax/threats to do violence with a firearm to a school.

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