After writing threats to kill another student, a former Buddy Taylor Middle School student was arrested. A student informed the BTMS administration on January 26, 2023, that a previous BTMS student had threatened to shoot another student. SRD Williams, the BTMS School Resource Deputy, interviewed the involved students and was shown the threatening messages the former student had sent to a current student.
The former student was contacted by deputies at his residence, where he admitted to having sent the messages and gave them his phone as evidence. The student was taken into custody for making written threats to kill, and before being handed over to the Department of Juvenile Justice, he was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
Sheriff Rick Staly stated, “Threats such as these are not jokes and will always be taken seriously.” We don’t like making these arrests, but if your child threatens anyone, we will knock on your door. Talk to your children and act as the sheriff in your home as parents. We are grateful to the student who informed the school administration, which in turn informed the SRD.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office advises parents to discuss the consequences of sending threats to commit violence with their children. Any student who makes threats of violence against anyone will be detained by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Staly emphasizes that all threats, regardless of age or circumstance, will be taken seriously.
