08/30/2026
Florida Juvenile Arrested for McCracken County High School Threat
On August 29, 2026 at approximately 0351, Deputies with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Officer were alerted to a threat directed at McCracken County High School which had been communicated through TikTok.
McCracken County Patrol Deputies and MCSO Detectives immediately began an investigation regarding the threat. While Detectives attempted to determine the source of the threat, they were also in communication with McCracken County Schools Police Department, who also assisted in the investigation.
While that investigation was ongoing, a supervisor with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida contacted the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office. Polk County Sheriff’s Office advised the FBI alerted them to the threat and advised they had tracked the IP address of the electronic communications device utilized to make the threats to an address inside their jurisdiction.
Their investigation led them to a 15-year-old male residing in Lakeland, Florida. Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s located and interviewed that 15-year-old male. Polk County was able to determine the 15-year-old male was the individual who made those threats.
That 15-year-old male was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and charged with:
Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device, a level 3 Felony
Written Electronic Threat Mass Shooting/Terrorism, a level 2 Felony
Pursuant to the investigation conducted by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, charges are being filed against the same 15-year-old male for:
Terroristic Threatening, 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony
Theft of Identity, a Class D Felony
Harassing Communications, a Class B Misdemeanor
Throughout the investigation on Sunday, MCSP personnel were notifying the MCSO that they had been made aware of the threat. The MCSO appreciates the assistance of McCracken County Schools Police Department as well as the prompt notification from school officials.
