2 arrested, accused of making threats at Coral Springs schools

Police stepping up presence at schools

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Two students have been arrested after threats on social media were made against Coral Glades High School and Sawgrass Springs Middle School.

The students arrested were identified as a 16-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl.

The post targeting Coral Glades High School that was shared on twitter read, "We burning Glades Down! We shooting Coral Glades High Up. Tomorrow Oct. 10 at 11:55 AM. Fires Fights Everything. Be Ready." Several posts also encourage students to riot and cause disturbances.

Coral Glades High principal Steven Carruth tweeted back saying, "We are aware of the intentions of a few. Authorities are tracking these students, and we have a plan to ensure everyone's safety."

Later in the morning a student at the school tweeted the principal, asking if it was recommended for students attend school or to stay home on Friday. Carruth responded, "Yes, the school is safe."

According to the juvenile transcript, the 16-year-old posted the threats under the Instagram account, "CGHSWAR." Police said the teen claimed to have allowed her friend who was being bullied at school to create the account using her email address. She would not reveal the name of the supposed friend to officers, and said the whole thing was just a joke.

Police said about 25 percent of the student body was not at school on Friday.

Meanwhile, the 12-year-old girl from Sawgrass Middle School is accused of using the Instagram account, "SSMSWAR" to post similar threats with one stating, "I'm a white boy. I've been bullied a lot, and I'm posting on Instagram that people don't go to school tomorrow because I'm going to shoot up the school with an AK-47."

Police said the girl was pulled out of class Friday and admitted to officers that she made the threats because she wanted to "get the school on the news again."

The incidents came just days after similar online threats were made at nearby Taravella High School with a few incidents reported on campus.

In the Taravella case, one student is facing felony charges for allegedly starting a fire in a locker room, and another is facing similar charges for allegedly lighting a T-shirt on fire and throwing it in a garbage pail.

Numerous fights were also reported at Taravella High School this week.

Coral Springs police posted an update on Facebook regarding officers presence at the three schools, saying "All of the students who made threats at via social media about Sawgrass Middle School, Coral Glades High School and Taravella High School have been identified. An investigation is continuing and charges pending. We will continue to have extra law enforcement presence in addition to our School Resource Officers at Coral Springs Public Schools."

The police department also placed all Coral Springs middle and high schools, that are part of the Broward County School System on lock down as a precautionary measure around noon on Friday.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.