A 12 year old student from a Collier County school in southwest Florida was arrested after posting threats on social networks about a potential shooting at a local school. Local media reported the incident on a Friday following the posts. The case underscores ongoing concerns about safety in schools and the role of social media in threats against campuses.
Authorities say the student, identified as Vontaeise Arthur Burgess, posted messages on Twitter on Thursday that suggested an intent to blow up the school. Investigators say he also uploaded images from a school bathroom, which NBC2 News reported was captured at Immokalee Secondary School (IMS). The posts included a photo showing a Glock pistol, according to reported materials. Burgess was subsequently taken into custody and charged with making threats of death, injury, mass shooting, or terrorist action. The rapid response by school officials and law enforcement aimed to prevent any harm while the case was reviewed by prosecutors.
As part of the precautionary steps, Collier County authorities contacted the Sheriff’s Office to secure the campus and ensure student safety. The accused student remains in a detention facility in Immokalee while the legal process moves forward.
Stories like this echo a longer national conversation about safety in schools. Since the 2018 Parkland massacre in Broward County, which resulted in the deaths of 14 students and three staff members, Florida has faced a rise in arrests tied to death threats and false threats to schools involving weapons. Most cases involve teenagers leveraging social media to threaten campuses, prompting swift investigations and interventions by school leaders and law enforcement.
Sheriff Gregory Tony of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office told local media that a repeated pattern has emerged: students are using social networks to threaten schools at the start of a new school year in South Florida. In interviews with local outlets such as the Sun Sentinel, he described how investigators have encountered a consistent stream of threats that require immediate action to protect students and staff. The findings emphasize the need for clear reporting channels, rapid coordination between schools and law enforcement, and ongoing education for students about the consequences of making threats online. [Sun Sentinel] [NBC2 News]
Experts note that while most threats are not carried out, the impact on school communities can be profound. Schools across the region have stepped up safety drills, reviewed visitor procedures, and reinforced the importance of reporting suspicious activity. Parents and students have been encouraged to engage in open conversations about safety, digital citizenship, and the responsibilities that come with posting content online. The goal is to deter harm while ensuring that legitimate concerns are handled with seriousness and respect for due process. [NBC2 News] [Sun Sentinel]