LEHI ARERS, Fla. (WFLA) — A 12-year-old student was arrested Thursday after Lee County officials said they found a manifesto written in a plan to make bombs and plant them around schools.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said detectives were warned of student activities after peers at Veterans Park Academy saw him create “painting concerns.”
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One of those drawings includes a map of the school, which, according to officials, depicts the exact spots he places the bomb around campus. Investigators said the 12-year-old also wrote a manifesto that “declared intent to commit violent acts.”
A review of a Chromebook published by his school also revealed something about search activities. Detectives say the teenagers looked into videos of making bombs and investigated prominent serial killers and terrorists.
The 12-year-old was charged with written or electronic threats to carry out terrorist acts and threats of throwing, projecting, placing or ejecting destructive devices, the sheriff’s office said.
“I’m proud of the students who spoke to me when I learned that my peers had made violent plans,” said Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marcheno. “The school’s threat enforcement team immediately began an investigation and found disturbing renderings for violent conduct within the school. LCSO detectives continue their investigation and do not turn the stones over to ensure the safety of students in Lee County.”
The investigation remained on Thursday night, and further details were not available immediately.
