online threats

Teen Arrested For Online Threat to Stab Another Student at High School in Coral Springs

Jeremy Byrd, 18, admitted to sending the threatening messages but claims he meant them as a joke that went too far.

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A teen was arrested for allegedly threatening to stab another student through direct messaging on social media, according to Coral Springs police.

Jeremy Byrd, 18, is being charged with one count of a written threat to kill or do bodily harm for the messages.

The school resource officer at a high school in Coral Springs was contacted by a 10th grader on Mar. 9 who was in a group Snapchat message with other students.

In the Snapchat group, the 10th grader says there were messages that Byrd was armed with a knife with the intention of stabbing a student on campus.

According to an arrest report, the girl, a former student, who sent the warning messages was scared and also reported the threat to administration.

She showed authorities the messages between her and Byrd which occurred via Instagram DM.

"We're all planning on jumping him," the messages read in part. "And one of us gonna stab him."

She also says Byrd sent a disappearing image of himself holding a knife on campus in pottery class.

According to the arrest report, Byrd admitted to sending the messages and photo but claims he meant the threat as a joke that went too far.

Police say they are still taking the incident very seriously.

Byrd appeared in bond court Wednesday, where his mom and grandmother spoke on his behalf. They told the judge the teen has a disability and described him as "very impulsive." They also called him a "good kid" who works.

"We try to instruct him the right way," his grandmother told the judge. "I'm just asking for mercy for him from the court."

The judge ended up releasing Byrd without setting a bond but ordered him to stay away from the student he allegedly threatened.

Broward County Public Schools told NBC6 that safety and security are its highest priorities but wouldn't comment further due to student privacy laws.

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