An 11-year-old boy from Florida has been arrested after falsely reporting a school shooting to authorities in an attempt to go home early. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has charged the boy with multiple offenses, including false report of a mass shooting, misuse of 911, and disruption of a school function. The incident occurred at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, prompting a school lockdown and a swift response from law enforcement.
According to a report from Fox 35, the boy called 911 at approximately 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday to report a school shooter in one of the school’s hallways. However, upon investigation, no gunman, weapons, or victims were found. All staff and students were accounted for and safely returned to their classrooms after an evacuation.
Detectives launched an investigation to identify the caller responsible for the false report, eventually discovering that the 11-year-old student was behind the incident. The boy initially denied making the call, claiming that he had left his phone and backpack behind in the school clinic. However, it was revealed that he had used his friend’s unattended phone to make the 911 call.
During the call, the boy told the dispatcher, “Help, there is a school shooter walking through the hallway.” When asked for the school’s name and location, he provided the information before abruptly ending the call. Several witnesses identified the boy as the caller, stating that he had expressed a desire to leave school early that day.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has condemned the boy’s actions, emphasizing the fear and disruption he caused among students, staff, and parents. Sheriff Billy Woods expressed his disappointment, stating, “I will not tolerate my young citizens being fearful of going to school because you wanted to be a ‘jokester’ in hopes of going home.”
In addition to the emotional distress caused, the boy will also face financial consequences. Under the law, individuals who make false reports are required to pay restitution for the cost of the law enforcement response. In this case, the bill is expected to amount to hundreds of man-hours, which will likely require the boy to find ways to earn money, such as mowing lawns.
The 11-year-old boy has been taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail. The incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can arise from false reports, particularly in the current climate of heightened concerns about school safety.
Please note that the content of this article is based on the provided information and does not reflect the views or opinions of any specific news network.
