MJP –
Local authorities reported that a child from Virginia, aged 11, is facing charges in Florida for placing over 20 false emergency calls, mainly targeting schools, as confirmed by the police. Strangely, it remains uncertain if the boy has any ties to Florida or the reasons behind his purported selection of victims in the state.
According to a statement from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the incidents of swatting calls began on May 14, with the child focusing on Buddy Taylor Middle School in Palm Coast, Florida. During the following week, the child dialed more than 20 times to educational institutions in Florida, such as First Baptist Christian Academy, Flagler Palm Coast High School, Old Kings Elementary School, and Suncoast Community School, which cater to students of various ages.
Swatting involves trying to provoke a strong police reaction at the place of a target by contacting emergency services and claiming that there is a highly aggressive or perilous situation occurring at a specific location. As an example, it is typical to make a phone call and report that you have recently harmed certain relatives and plan to harm others, while also sharing the location of the next victim with emergency services.
Local authorities reported that this child made menacing statements about planting bombs in different places, threatening to carry out mass shootings, or claiming that a teacher or students had been shot.
After the Homeland Security Section of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office managed to uncover the identity of the caller, the 11-year-old allegedly confessed to making the swatting calls. The child was questioned by officials, who were told that he had acquired the skill of concealing his identity on the Internet.
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The method by which the police located him is not readily apparent, however, they mention employing a voice pattern analysis following their first conversation with him to match the phone calls with his voice. Reportedly, the child confessed to having made a threat towards the State House of Maryland, in addition to targeting multiple schools in Florida.
Ultimately, the child found themselves in custody in Virginia, facing a total of 14 serious charges related to making false reports about planting bombs, misusing communication devices, tampering with evidence, and disrupting school activities. He is currently detained in a juvenile facility in Virginia, and it is said that the State Attorney’s Office is collaborating with Virginia authorities to move him to the south.
“As the start of the school year approaches in under a month, I am aware that the progress of this inquiry has been a major concern for our community.
That is why our investigators have remained relentless in their efforts to apprehend the individual behind the distress caused to our students, parents, teachers, and community,” stated Sheriff Rick Staly in an online release. The child’s actions were intensifying and growing increasingly perilous.
Gizmodo has chosen not to disclose the name of the 11-year-old that has been made public. The choice to make numerous swatting calls was foolish and extremely risky, and it is hoped that this young person will eventually grasp the consequences. However, he is still in his youth and let’s wish that this situation does not irreparably damage his life, although he is confronting extremely severe accusations.
