Crime & Public Safety
Student arrested after b0mb threat sent to Fortify Florida app at Martin County High School
Martin County Sheriff's Office reports that a 15-year-old student at Martin County High School was arrested after allegedly submitting a fake b0mb threat through the Fortify Florida app that said there were bombs and fireworks in the school. The sheriff's office says the school's resource officer received the alert around 9 a.m. Tuesday, prompting an immediate response on campus.
According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, the tip described hearing people say there were bombs in the school, including a claim of a b0mb in a trash can and fireworks in backpacks, and referenced a location near the boys' bathroom. Investigators reviewed security camera footage and traced the electronic submission back to a student on campus. When confronted, the student initially denied involvement but later confessed, telling investigators he “just wanted to get out of third-period class,” the sheriff said.
The sheriff's office charged the juvenile with a felony; authorities transported him to the Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Fort Pierce. Sheriff John Budensiek characterized the arrest as part of a firm response to threats and warned that even prank threats carry severe consequences. The office says this incident is the fourth threat against the school within roughly ten days but that the arrest in this case is not connected to three other recent threats under investigation.
Current status from the Martin County Sheriff's Office: a felony arrest has been made, the juvenile was taken to DYS in Fort Pierce, and separate investigations into other recent school threats remain ongoing. Agencies continue reviewing those related incidents, and the sheriff indicated additional investigative actions may follow.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.