Florida

White Students Charged With Sending Threatening Messages Toward Black Teacher at Florida School

What to Know

  • A Flagler County Sheriff's Office news release says the boy and girl, both 16, were charged with misdemeanor assault on Wednesday.
  • The teacher told investigators Tuesday that she wanted to press charges because she believes the students are capable of harming her.

Authorities say two white teens sent threatening and racist messages to each other on school-issued computers about a black teacher at a high school in Florida.

A Flagler County Sheriff's Office news release says the boy and girl, both 16, were charged with misdemeanor assault on Wednesday, though no arrests were immediately made. The charge for each student was enhanced as a hate crime under state law.

Investigators say the Flagler Palm Coast High School students were questioned Monday about making plans to harm the teacher.

According to NBC affiliate WESH-TV, the female student was upset that she was not allowed to make up an assignment, writing “"My (n-word) teacher is (expletive) me off. I swear I'm gonna stomp on her (expletive) face and smash her weave into the ground."

Later, the students talked about going to the teacher’s home and killing her with one adding “" They gonna give you a medal for killing a (n-word) Well it's not really murder. Were (sic) doing the world an amazing thing."

The teens claimed they were joking. The teacher told investigators Tuesday that she wanted to press charges because she believes the students are capable of harming her.

The Flagler County Sheriff, Rick Staly, said he was “appalled” by the language and the threat, but added the students could not be charged with a felony since the messages were not directly sent to the teacher.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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