Florida Sheriff Promises to Name Kids Making School Shooting Threats

A sheriff in Florida has sparked controversy following his determination to disclose the identities of minors involved in making threats related to school shootings.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood publicly identified an 11-year-old boy, Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli, who allegedly made written threats regarding a potential mass shooting at his school. Alongside these disclosures, deputies also filmed Dorelli during a “perp walk,” where law enforcement escorts an arrested individual, and shared the footage online.

In his post, Chitwood highlighted that the recent false threat incurred significant financial costs for local authorities, estimating the expense at around $21,000 for the incident. His message served as a stern warning to parents.

“For you parents out there, today’s hoax cost around $21,000,” Chitwood stated. “We’re coming after you, and starting Monday… we’re going to start publishing [your child’s] face and doing perp walks with him when we take him into custody.” He further threatened to expose parents involved in such incidents.

According to Chitwood, the 11-year-old had put together a list of names and targets linked to the supposed attack. When questioned, the child reportedly insisted that it was merely a joke.

Upon the boy’s arrest, authorities discovered a stash of airsoft guns, fake ammunition, knives, swords, and other weaponry in his home. Chitwood made it clear that should such threats persist, the release of juvenile names and images would become a recurring practice.

“P.S. I can and will release the names and photos of juveniles who are committing these felonies, threatening our students, disrupting our schools and consuming law enforcement resources,” he stated emphatically.

The public response to the sheriff’s actions has been mixed. While some commended law enforcement’s tough stance on the issue, others expressed concern that publicizing mugshots and perp walks could inadvertently encourage more children to make hoax threats.

One Chicago parent, Alvaro Jimenz, commented on the situation, stating, “Parents already know the magnitude of this problem in our schools. I think cases like this should stop appearing in news and social media because you’re giving this young kid the spotlight. I feel like that’s what many kids seek—attention and recognition.”

Another social media commenter, Dana Smith, stressed the importance of understanding the underlying issues instead of labeling the child as a criminal. “I pray officials find out what’s wrong. This behavior doesn’t emerge from a vacuum. We must consider how he is being treated at school and in the home. No child does this without reason! Parents are accountable, but so is society. We must help these kids!” Smith argued.

Conversely, Claudine Fisher supported the punishment and called for accountability from the boy’s parents as well. “Justice for all, no one is above it. This goes for minors too. Parents should face consequences too; perhaps even prison time,” she remarked.

This trend of hoax shooting threats is not limited to Florida. Other states, such as Ohio and Georgia, have also witnessed similar increases in threats following recent incidents of gun violence.

Dr. Ken Trump of the National School Safety and Security Services shared that spikes in hoax reports are common in the aftermath of high-profile shootings. “What I’ve observed over four decades indicates a clear pattern—there’s often a surge in reports for at least a week or two following such events,” he explained, referring to the “contagion effect” that these crises can trigger.

Publicizing the images of minors involved in hoax threats is not a new practice. Last year, a 10-year-old boy, Daniel Marquez, faced similar consequences in Florida after making a school shooting threat, ultimately leading to his arrest and probation sentence after being found delinquent.

This complex issue continues to raise questions about the handling of young offenders, parental responsibility, and the potential impact of public shaming on juvenile behavior.

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