Neal middle student jailed for terrorist threat
A 13-year old W.S. Neal Middle School student has been charged with a felony count of making a terrorist threat after an investigation revealed the student had made credible verbal threats against the faculty and the school.
The student was taken into custody Friday and turned over to juvenile authorities. The name of the student was not released due to his age.
According to reports filed with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the school resource officer and faculty members received information that led officials to believe it was a credible threat.
Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said the evidence obtained was turned over to the district attorney's office and a juvenile petition was granted. Officials said Wednesday that the teen remains in juvenile detention.
Lambert said last Thursday, officers executed a search warrant at the 13-year old's residence and firearms were removed. Lambert said the student surrendered the following day.
According to the Escambia County School System's code of conduct, any student under the age of 18 who is accused of committing a felony and arrested by law enforcement will be placed in an alternative school setting for an indefinite period of time or may be recommended for expulsion.
