Photo: Sanford Police Department
A 17-year-old student was arrested on Sunday (March 9) in Sanford, Florida, after allegedly threatening to "shoot up" Seminole High School. The Sanford Police Department received an anonymous tip on Saturday about a video showing the teenager with multiple guns and vests, making threats against the school. The student, identified as Timothy A. Thomas, was charged with intimidation through a written or electronic threat of a mass shooting or act of terrorism.
Thomas, a student at Elevation High School in Sanford, was taken into custody at his home without incident. According to Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith, the quick collaboration of local and federal agencies, including the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security, and the FBI, was crucial in preventing a potential tragedy.
The weapons seen in the video were later identified as "extremely realistic Airsoft replicas." Police also seized a laptop, iPhone, a knife, and a notebook from Thomas's home.
Superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools, Serita Beamon, expressed gratitude for the swift action taken to ensure student safety.
"I am so thankful for the collaborative work and relentless dedication of all the agencies involved in bringing this incident to a conclusion," Beamon said.