A 13-year-old Florida boy was arrested after authorities said he sent another teenager a photo of himself holding a handgun along with a written threat indicating violence was planned.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said deputies began investigating the incident on July 7 after the victim’s mother contacted 911 to report the alleged threat, leading to the suspect’s arrest and transfer into the juvenile justice system.
According to investigators, the victim, also 13, received multiple Instagram messages from the suspect earlier that day.
One message included a photo of the suspect holding a firearm, while another contained the text, “Tn 8:00 pm we be there we alr got lo.”
Authorities said the message translated to, “Tonight 8:00 pm we be there we already got location.” The victim told deputies he believed the suspect intended to come to his home at 8 p.m. and shoot him.
Deputies said the suspect later acknowledged that he and the victim had previously been friends but had a falling out.
Investigators said the suspect told them he had contacted the victim that day and that the two were planning to fight.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the messages and the firearm image led them to treat the situation as a serious threat rather than a routine disagreement between teenagers, according to The Blaze.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested the teen and transported him to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility before he was transferred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Officials did not provide additional details about the specific charges or the outcome of the juvenile proceedings. The arrest represents an allegation, and the teen has not been convicted of any offense.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly emphasized that threats involving weapons are treated seriously by law enforcement.
“Threats are no joke, and we take every threat seriously,” Staly said. “This teen had already made plans to fight the victim, and he made it clear it wasn’t going to be a fistfight.”
The sheriff said the case highlights the importance of addressing conflicts before they escalate into situations involving weapons or threats of violence.
Staly also urged parents to remain involved in their children’s online activity and conversations.
“I want to remind parents to stay engaged in what their kids are doing online and who they’re talking to,” Staly said. “Teach them the proper way of handling disagreements and be the sheriff of your home.”
His comments came as investigators continue to warn that disputes among young people can move quickly from online exchanges to real-world confrontations.
The investigation highlights the challenges authorities face when responding to threats made through social media.
Law enforcement officials must determine whether online messages represent a genuine danger, a misunderstanding, or a conflict that has escalated.
In this case, deputies said the combination of the firearm image, the written message, and the reported plan to meet at the victim’s home led them to intervene.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has not announced further details about the case, and the juvenile court process will determine what happens next.
Officials continue to encourage parents and guardians to monitor online activity and address conflicts before they escalate into situations involving threats or violence.
