DELAND, Florida — An 11-year-old student at a Volusia County school has been arrested and charged with a felony after authorities say he wrote a “kill list” that included the names of his classmates.
Sheriff’s Office Shares Video of Arrest
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said the child, a student at Highbanks Learning Center in Deltona, was arrested Monday and charged with making a written threat to kill, a felony offense under Florida law.
Officials confirmed the student did not have access to any weapons, but deputies took the threat seriously. The sheriff’s office later posted a Facebook video showing the boy being escorted in handcuffs, placed into a police cruiser, and then walked into a holding cell — footage that quickly went viral and sparked widespread debate online.
“While school threats are down recently, Sheriff Mike Chitwood is continuing to stress to students and parents that these types of threats will result in felony charges,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement accompanying the video.
Public Outcry Over Posting the Video
The decision to publicly share the 11-year-old’s “perp walk” drew sharp criticism from many social media users, with more than 1,000 comments flooding the sheriff’s Facebook post.
“How is it okay to show a minor like this on social media?” one commenter asked.
Another user wrote, “I hate this perp walking of children and then the horrible adults jumping in & judging. The child is only 11 years old. Shame on all of you.”
But others supported the sheriff’s approach. “I agree with doing this. Absolutely,” one person wrote. “Maybe it will stop other kids from making threats.”
Some commenters blamed the internet and social media for influencing children’s behavior, while others urged for guidance and counseling over public shaming.
“He does need guidance but I don’t think shaming him on social media is the answer,” one user wrote.
“It’s almost like it’s become a challenge for them to be in one of your videos,” another added.
Sheriff’s Office Defends Its Policy
Sheriff Chitwood, known for his tough-on-youth-threats stance, defended the department’s transparency. His office has previously faced backlash for posting similar videos of minors accused of making school threats.
In May 2024, the department released a video showing the “perp walk” of a 15-year-old accused of making a false bomb threat at University High School. That teen reportedly used a school laptop to send the threat under the alias “Kevin.”
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“What’s not a joke: [The teen] was taken into custody and charged with making a false report of a bomb and disrupting the learning environment,” Chitwood said at the time.
Legal and Ethical Questions
While law enforcement officials argue that publicly showing the consequences of such threats can deter others, critics and child advocacy groups warn that publicly exposing minors could have long-term psychological impacts and violate privacy protections.
The 11-year-old remains unnamed due to his age. Authorities say he will face juvenile court proceedings for the written threat charge, which can carry significant penalties under Florida law.
Should law enforcement post videos of minors accused of school threats, or should they protect their identities? Share your thoughts in the comments at betheladvocate.com.
