Florida teen busted after showing off guns and threatening to shoot up a high school: ‘Likely prevented a tragedy’

A Florida teenager was arrested after allegedly posting videos showing off an arsenal of “extremely realistic” replica guns and threatening to shoot up a high school, according to police, who said they “likely prevented a tragedy and saved multiple lives.”

Timothy Thomas, 17, was arrested Sunday night after police in Sanford, just northeast of Orlando, received an anonymous tip about someone making online threats to shoot up Seminole High School, according to the Sanford Police Department.

The video showed multiple guns, vests, knives and “other items of concern,” cops said.

Police identified Thomas from the video and arrested him at his home without incident. The teen is a student at Elevation High School, police said, without saying why he is thought to have threatened a different school.

They seized multiple weapons at the home, which police identified in a press release as “extremely realistic Airsoft replicas.”

The teen is charged with intimidation by written or electronic threat of a mass shooting or act of terrorism.

Police Chief Cecil Smith praised the quick action of law enforcement to foil a possible “tragedy.”

“The swift identification and arrest of Thomas is the direct result of the immediate collaboration and dedication of multiple local and federal agencies and organizations. This fast action and team most likely prevented a tragedy and saved multiple lives.”

Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Serita Bamon said in a statement that she was thankful for all agencies involved.

“The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we will continue to take any potential threat seriously, and act quickly,” she said.