West Melbourne police warn about threats after student arrested

WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — West Melbourne police said they aren't taking any threats against school safety lightly.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday after a threat against Central Middle School.

The police department held a news conference Thursday to remind the public that every threat, no matter how minor it may seem, will be aggressively investigated.

When Stefanos Stratoudakis was arrested after allegedly making a threat to his former school he did not have a weapon.

Police said the teenager's Instagram post made a reference that he would "shoot up that school," but multiple students saw the post and told a school resource officer, who took immediate action.

“This individual may have not had the intent to go and shoot the school up, but he said it and that’s enough for us to take action,” said Chief Richard Wiley.

Wiley said he was proud of the students for doing the right thing and that he hoped any student thinking of making a threat will think twice.

“We have to be aggressive with it. We’re going to put their names out there. We’re going to let people know that we are making these arrests,” said Wiley.

Stratoudakis cooperated with investigators, police said. After consulting the state attorney's office, the teen was charged with filing a false report concerning the use of a firearm and disturbing a school function.

Central Florida schools have become the center of numerous threats and hoaxes since the Parkland shooting.

Cox Media Group