Virginia 11-year-old arrested, accused of bomb threats at Flagler County schools last year

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested an 11-year-old boy from Virginia who is accused of making threats against Flagler County schools.

On May 14, the FCSO Communications Center said it received a bomb threat toward Buddy Taylor Middle School. Following that initial threat, 20 more bomb or shooting threats were made toward Buddy Taylor and four other Flagler County schools — First Baptist Christian Academy, Flagler Palm Coast High School, Old Kings Elementary School, and Suncoast Community School — between May 14 and May 22.

In each, investigators said the caller made claims that a bomb or bombs had been placed, threatened to commit a mass shooting, or stated that they had just shot a teacher, student, or multiple people.

Investigators said they eventually learned the caller was an 11-year-old from Henrico, Virginia.

Detectives interviewed the child, as well as members of his family and said he admitted to placing the swatting-type calls made towards Flagler County schools, as well as a threat made to the Maryland State House. The 11-year-old said he used methods he had learned online in an attempt to circumvent law enforcement and hide his identity, according to investigators. He also told investigators that he devised the script he used for his calls and acted alone.

Read more: WJXT