BUNNELL, FL – A former Buddy Taylor Middle School student has been arrested after making written threats to kill another student. On Thursday, January 26, 2023, a student reported to BTMS school administration that a previous BTMS student had been threatening to shoot another student. The School Resource Deputy assigned to BTMS, SRD Williams, conducted interviews with involved students and was shown the threatening messages sent from the former student to a current student.

Deputies made contact with the former student at his residence where the student admitted he had sent the messages and turned over his phone as evidence. The student was taken into custody for making Written Threats to Kill and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility before being turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

“Threats such as these are not a joke and will always be taken seriously,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We don’t like making these arrests, but we will come knocking on your door if your child makes any threat to harm someone. Parents talk to your kids and be the Sheriff in your home. Thank you to the student who alerted school administration who then alerted the SRD.”

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office urges parents to talk to their students about the consequences of sending threats to commit violence. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will arrest any student who threatens violence against anyone.