Lakewood Ranch High teen arrested for making shooting threats

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 14-year-old Lakewood Ranch High student on Thursday for making online threats about a potential school shooting.

The Sheriff's Office had received a tip through the Fortify FL app that said a shooting was planned at the school for Friday. Several students informed school staff about the concerning comments posted on Snapcat, according to a Sheriff's Office release. Deputies began the investigation.

The release said deputies obtained records from Snapchat that included an email address and phone number linked to the student, whose name was withheld by the East County Observer because of age. After confirming the student's cell phone, detectives met the student at the school and placed the student under arrest.

The student has been charged with making written threats to kill, and disrupting a school function.