Eighth grader at Buddy Taylor charged with threats to kill; sheriff says, 'This has to stop'

Sheriff Staly urges parents to talk to their children about consequences.


  • By
  • | 11:00 a.m. October 21, 2021
Buddy Taylor Middle School. Photo by Brian McMillan
Buddy Taylor Middle School. Photo by Brian McMillan
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On Oct. 15, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy of Buddy Taylor Middle School was notified that an eighth grade student made threats to shoot another student while riding the bus home the previous day.

The deputy responded to the homes of both juveniles, and the suspect denied any threats being made or any physical violence occurring. During the investigation, the victim stated the suspect told him he was going to get a gun and shoot him and “he would take a bullet for his sister and everyone else on the bus,” the deputy reported.

The suspect said he and the victim have had an ongoing issue also involving the victim’s sister. The suspect stated that the victim threatened to get his father on the bus and that’s when the suspect threatened to get a gun and shoot him. Upon further questioning, the juvenile suspect stated he made the threat because he was scared the victim’s father was going to harm him.

“This has to stop. Students, violence is not the answer and will only get you in serious trouble,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Parents, talk to your children – now! Whether you think it is a joke or not, making a threat is a crime with serious consequences. We cannot stress the fact enough that making a threat will be taken seriously in Flagler County as we have a zero-tolerance policy.”

The juvenile was arrested for Written Threats to Kill and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He was released into the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

 

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