Student, 13, arrested for reporting fake school threat after losing bet, BSO says

A 13-year-old boy was arrested after he allegedly triggered a lockdown at a Broward school by reporting a fake threat on Wednesday because he lost a bet, authorities said.

Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said they received reports of a possible threat to Deerfield Beach Middle School around 12:30 p.m. About 15 minutes later, they received reports of a possible threat to Cypress Bay High School in Weston.

Both schools were placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution, officials said.

Deputies and detectives responded to both schools to investigate, and Cypress Bay was later given the all clear.

During the investigation detectives learned someone called 911 and said they were “about to shoot the school,” officials said.

Authorities said on Thursday that they had arrested a suspect in connection to the Deerfield Beach case who was himself a student at the middle school. NBC6 is not identifying him because he is a minor and is not charged as an adult.

The 13-year-old told investigators he had been playing “rock, paper, scissors” and said if he lost, he would have to call 911.

After he lost he made the call about the shooting threat, authorities said.

The teen was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center for processing. He faces charges of false report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, misuse of 911 and disruption of a school function.

Detectives believe the Cypress Bay High incident isn’t related to the Deerfield Beach Middle incident.

“This is not a game and there is nothing routine about these calls,” Broward Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony said in a statement Thursday. “Every report of a threat is thoroughly investigated and may lead to an arrest.”