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Landmark Middle School Student Arrested After Verbal Mass Shooting Threat, Duval Schools Say

A Landmark Middle School student was arrested after making a verbal threat of a mass shooting on campus, according to Duval County Public Schools. Principal Vontrena Myers said tips through Fortify Florida helped school police identify the student quickly, and she urged families to treat such threats as serious matters, not jokes.

Landmark Middle School Student Arrested After Verbal Mass Shooting Threat, Duval Schools Say

A student at Landmark Middle School in Jacksonville was arrested after school officials said the student made a verbal threat of a mass shooting on campus, Duval County Public Schools confirmed.

School police opened an investigation after reports surfaced that a student had made a verbal threat of potential violence against the school. Although the post was removed, administrators activated threat assessment procedures and added enhanced security measures on campus alongside an existing weapons detection system.

Multiple tips submitted through Fortify Florida, the state's anonymous reporting system, helped school police quickly identify and arrest the student, according to Principal Vontrena Myers.

In a message sent to families, Myers said the district does not treat threatening statements as pranks or jokes. Students who make threats face the strongest available school disciplinary consequences and, when warranted, criminal charges.

"These situations are addressed with the strongest school disciplinary consequences possible and, when warranted, as a criminal matter," Myers said.

The principal urged parents to use the arrest as an opportunity to talk with their children about the seriousness of making threats and the importance of reporting concerning behavior to a trusted adult.

Students, families and staff can report safety concerns directly to the school or anonymously through Fortify Florida at duvalschools.org.

"See Something, Say Something remains one of our best methods of keeping our campuses secure," Myers said.

The arrest comes as school districts across Florida continue to grapple with threats of violence, which have prompted heightened security measures and repeated appeals from administrators for students and families to report concerns early. Duval County schools have leaned on threat assessment protocols and anonymous tip lines in recent years as part of a broader effort to intervene before potential violence occurs.

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