NEWS RELEASE
13-Year-Old Arrested After Photos of Firearm, Written Threat to Kill Sent Over Instagram
Date:Thursday, July 9, 2026
BUNNELL, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 13-year-old after he threatened to kill another teen and sent him photos of a firearm over Instagram.
FCSO deputies began investigating the incident on July 7 after the victim’s mother called 911 to report the threat to law enforcement.
The victim, also 13, received several Instagram messages earlier in the day from the suspect that included a picture of the suspect holding a handgun and a written message that read “Tn 8:00 pm we be there we alr got lo,” which translates to “Tonight 8:00 pm we be there we already got location.”
The victim told deputies that he believed the suspect planned to show up at his home and shoot him at 8 p.m. that night.
The suspect later told deputies that he and the victim used to be friends but had a falling out. He also stated that he had messaged the victim that day and they were planning to fight.
“Threats are no joke, and we take every threat seriously. This teen had already made plans to fight the victim, and he made it clear it wasn’t going to be a fistfight,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I want to remind parents to stay engaged in what their kids are doing online and who they’re talking too. Teach them the proper way of handling disagreements and be the Sheriff of your home.”
Pictures sent by the suspect to the victim. (FSCO)
Deputies arrested the suspect and transported him to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later transferred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
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