Authorities say they've arrested a Tampa Bay area middle school student who threatened to kill his classmates, using a picture of a sinister-looking clown on a social media site profile to send his message.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that the 12-year-old Seven Springs Middle School student faces an adult, felony charge of making a written threat to kill.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office reports that the boy made an account on a social networking video app, musical.ly, with the name "@clouing_around" and used a photo of a sinister-looking clown as his profile picture, the Times reported. One post said he was going to kill sixth-graders at the New Port Richey school on Friday.
Concerned parents contacted the sheriff's office Monday night. Deputies traced the account to the student.
Sheriff Chris Nocco said the boy didn't appear to have the means to carry out his threat and likely posted it as a joke.
