TAMPA -- Sheriff's deputies have arrested a 15 year old Barrington Middle School student behind a threat that put the school on lockdown Wednesday.
The boy is facing a felony charge of tampering with physical evidence, as well as several misdemeanors including Misuse of 911 and petit theft.
Detectives say the teen stole another student's cellphone in the gym and placed the hoax call to 911, in which a "friend" in the bathroom had a gun. The caller hung up as the dispatcher worked to gather more information.
Deputies say they brought the tampering charge because the teen threw the phone into a toilet..
The call led to both Barrington Middle School and adjoining Stowers Elementary School being placed on lockdown.
“Causing fear and panic is not funny, and as this student will, unfortunately, learn the hard way, making such a serious false claim comes with severe consequences,”Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
Listen to the false 911 call here courtesy of News Channel 8 :
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