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Baker County Sheriff speaks on 'mass shooting threat,' teen found not guilty

The Baker County sheriff was shocked when a student was found not guilty of felony charges after a document reportedly suggests the student planned a mass shooting.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden, a 30-year law enforcement officer, has seen a lot of things, but a recent mass shooting threat by a teenager ranks high.

"This is one of the most disturbing things I have seen in my law enforcement career," Rhoden said. "The detail, the research, the things he had planned ..."

Rhoden that it was enough to charge the 15-year-old behind the alleged threat with a felony, but a court ruled it was not enough to prosecute the teenager and set him free. 

"The plan that he wrote is very disturbing," Rhoden said. "How the court missed it is a good question. I think that is the million-dollar question nobody can answer."

In September, another student learned of the plan and told school officials who notified law enforcement.

On Sept. 9, the teen suspect was arrested. In his alleged plan, he would enter Baker County High on a day when everyone is in one location.

He would kill first responders first then staff, according to a seven-page document that changes from plan one to plan two, to a plan labeled "AKA Suicide Route."

During the investigation, deputies said the student acknowledged it was his plan.

"He went as far as Googling how long it would take law enforcement to respond to the school from our office," Rhoden said. "There are steps there that he took that are very disturbing."

The State Attorney took it seriously and filed charges. But when the case came to court, a judge dismissed it and found the student not guilty of the felony charges.

Florida statute states "Any person who makes, posts or transmits a threat in a writing or other records, including an electronic record, to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, in any name that would allow another person to view the threat, commits a felony of the second degree." 

After the court ruling, Rhoden took to Facebook and expressed his disappointment. 

Residents of the community also took to social media to voice their dissent.

Baker County Sheriff Major Randy Crews shared the ruling with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.

Needless to say, members were not pleased.

Rhoden told On Your Side the State Attorney is looking for a way to address the court decision.

"He (William Cervon) is going to the attorney general's office to see if there is any recourse," he said.

Any change is unlikely. 

Rhoden said the message to the community is his office will continue to respond to mass shooting threats. 

"The plan worked," Rhoden said. "We have this child out of school now and no tragedy happened. And we're going to continue with the same plan we have implemented with our school system working together, being a partner to keep our community and our kids safe."

The sheriff said he plans to meet with the teen's parents. He believes the court in its decision missed an opportunity to order mental health counseling for the teenager.

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