Florida

Teen Accused of Making Online Threat to Shoot Up J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs Gets House Arrest

The 17-year-old student accused of threatening to shoot up J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs was released from juvenile detention in Broward.

The teen's father escorted him out of the facility following a court hearing Tuesday. NBC 6 is not naming the teen because of his age.

The teen spent three weeks detained, being evaluated by doctors and other professionals. It was stated in court that the teenager is not mentally ill and only made threats to gain some attention.

He will stay on house arrest with an ankle monitor, he must find a new school, all guns must be removed from the home, and his access to social media will be restricted until further notice. His next court date is scheduled for May 11.

"The truth is you now belong to me, I'm responsible for whatever you do," Judge Elijah Williams told the teen at the hearing. "Now I'm your daddy, you understand?"

Police arrested the 10th grader earlier this month after authorities say he posted a threat on YouTube under the name "Sharp Shooter."

"I want to be a professional school shooter...(no sarcasm, Broward County, Florida) J.P. Taravella HS is my target, tomorrow. I'M LEGIT NOT JOKING AROUND! SPREAD MY MESSAGE!!!!!!" the threat read, according to an arrest report.

The report said the student had edited the post with a similar threat.

"For who ever is reading this, I will be shooting up my high school in broward county Fl. Tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 when school starts. Round 2. J.P. Taravella HS! (I am legit, make my presence known)." the edited threat read, according to the report.

The report said there were firearms in his home in a location secured by the teen's father. The teen confessed to posting the threats on YouTube, the report said.

It was stated in court by the judge that several professionals, friends and family said there is not a concern that the student would act on his threats.

Taravella High is about five miles from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 17 people were shot and killed on Feb. 14.

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