CLEARWATER, Fla. — Deputies arrested a Countryside High School student late Sunday night for posting threatening messages on social media.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says it received an anonymous tip around 7:00 p.m. that a 14-year-old posted photos of guns on his Instagram account a few hours earlier with the statement, "Don't go to school tomorrow."
Deputies identified the boy and made contact with him. They say he admitted to posting four images of firearms on his Instagram account, "monkeywitharifle." with the caption, "Don't come to school tomorrow THIS IS A JOKE. DO NOT REPORT (It's not a joke)."
Investigators say the student told them he intended the Instagram posted as a joke to gain followers and to "get some laughs" and did not believe anyone would take the post seriously.
Authorities confirmed the teenager does not own weapons or have access to any guns.
RELATED: Hillsborough Schools reminds students threats are not a joke
The 14-year-old is charged with Written Threats to Kill, Do Bodily Injury, or Conduct a Mass Shooting or an Act of Terrorism. Deputies transported him to the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center without incident.
ABC Action News does not normally name criminal suspects under the age of 18 unless they are charged as an adult.
The Sheriff's Office this case is a great example why it is so important to report any suspicious activities to a law enforcement agency so they can quickly investigate it.
