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School Shooting Threats

Students of all kinds, whether they be under 18 or at a higher institution, are hyper aware of the possibility of a school shooter. Ever since the awful tragedy that was Columbine High School, news outlets have frequently reported on school shootings all over the U.S. The coverage hasn’t slowed down school shooters as seen in a 2018 report by the Homeland Defense & Security which reveals shootings had actually doubled from the year prior.

Rising school shootings also mean a rise in school shooter threats. Most of these threats are false and were made by students in an attempt to be funny or on impulse. No matter the circumstances, falsely threatening acts of gun and bomb violence can result in a felony. If you or your child has been accused of making a false school shooting threat, then it’s within your best interest to secure legal representation as soon as possible.

School Shooter Defense Attorney in Gainesville, Florida

Children, teenagers, and even young adults often don’t understand the full scope of their actions until they face the consequences. If you or your child has been arrested for making a false school shooter or bomb threat, it’s crucial you contact Galigani Law Firm. The drastic increase in school shootings over the last five years will mean the prosecution could seek harsh penalties or even charge you or your child as an adult. Avoid these consequences altogether by obtaining experienced legal representation with the attorneys at Galigani Law Firm.

The Gainesville school shooting defense attorneys at Galigani Law Firm understand the complex new laws surrounding violent threats at school. They can utilize their knowledge and 30 collective years of experience to fight your charges. Call Galigani Law Firm today at (352) 375-0812 to set up your first consultation free of charge. Galigani Law Firm accepts clients throughout the greater Alachua County area.

Information Center:  

• Why Are There School Shootings?
• What is the Punishment For Threatening a School Shooting?
• Additional Resources

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Why Are There School Shootings?

We will never truly know what goes on behind the minds of school shooters. Some of them, however, share similar reasoning based on their manifestos or prior online history. A good example of this is school shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold from Columbine, who were rumored to have committed because they were bullied. Tapes, diaries, and even posts online indicated they suffered abuse from their peers with little to no help from staff. 

Some minors may relate to Harris and Klebold as the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics indicated in a 2011 report 25 % of children have faced bullying at some point in their lives. Often these victims of bullying internalize their suffering instead of seeking out help. They may never learn healthy coping skills to cope with the bullying or other issues such as family dysfunction or isolation.

Children and young adults usually spend an average of 180 days a year at school. That is a good portion of their life dedicated to one place. If school is miserable for a child or young adult, they may act out by making a terroristic threat. Most students making school shooter threats only do so because they are in pain and looking for attention. Most never intend to hurt anyone and are simply trying to find a way to relieve their suffering. 

Mental illness and lack of treatment for said condition could motivate a school shooter. Over the years, many school shootings have been linked to children suffering from depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or extreme narcissism. According to the American Counseling Association, 78 percent of school shooters have had some sort of history of suicide.

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What is the Punishment for Threatening to Shoot up a School?

Children and young adults will often not understand the true gravity behind their actions when they make a school shooting threat online. Younger generations are much more desensitized to school shootings because of the constant media attention surrounding them. Therefore, they may make jokes or light of the event with friends online and never intend for these statements to be taken literally. On the other hand, students who are struggling emotionally may make a school shooting threat impulsively but never have any intention to do so. 

It can be incredibly difficult for law enforcement to determine which school shooting threat is legitimate and which is false. For that reason, law enforcement is required to treat every school shooting as a credible threat because the stakes for ignoring one are too high. If a threat turns out to be falsely made, then law enforcement may arrest the offender because they wasted valuable resources investigating these threats.

Making a school shooting or bomb threat online or in-person is a second-degree felony. The maximum punishment a person can receive for a second-degree felony is:

• Up to 15 years in prison
• A fine of up to $10,000

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Additional Resources

School Shooting Statistics in the U.S. | The Educator’s School Safety Network – Visit a document presented by the Educator’s School Safety Network to learn read their analysis of states showing a high rate of violence in their schools. Access the report to learn statistics, how violent concerns were categorized,  which are most urgent, and how to remedy them.

Gun Statistics at School | K-12 School Shooting Database – Visit the official website for Center for Homeland Security and Defense to use their K-12 School Shooting Database tool where you can see how many times a gun was carried, brandished, or used at a school. Access their graphs and maps to compare years, firearm type, area, and characteristics about the active shooter.

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School Shooting Lawyer in Gainesville, Florida

If you or someone you know has been charged with threatening to bring a firearm to school, we urge you to contact Galigani Law Firm. Our experienced and skilled violent crime lawyers can assess the facts of the case and build a sturdy defense designed to protect your rights. Get started on your defense and contact the attorneys at Galigani Law Firm. 

Galigani Law Firm can be reached at (352) 375-0812 for a free no-hassle consultation. Galigani Law Firm accepts clients throughout the greater Alachua County and Gainesville area including Alachua, Newberry, Hawthorne, Micanopy, and High Springs.

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