TikTok Bomb Threat Sparks Panic; Florida Middle Schooler Behind Viral Video Arrested
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA — A 14-year-old student from Southport Middle School has been taken into custody after allegedly posting a fake bomb threat on TikTok, sparking panic among parents, students, and staff over the weekend.
According to the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), the alarming video surfaced online on October 19, featuring white text on a black background that read:
“On Monday The 20th Southport middle Is getting bombed by me Stay home alright.”
The clip quickly spread among students and parents, prompting a flood of 911 calls to police around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Detectives immediately launched an investigation, tracing the viral post to a local IP address within hours.
Police Trace Threat to Student Within Hours
Investigators determined that the TikTok account, created under the alias “Benjamin Franklyn,” belonged to a 14-year-old named Justin Joseph, a student at Southport Middle School.
Police confirmed that no explosives or related materials were found and that the incident was ultimately deemed a hoax. Still, authorities emphasized that such false threats have serious legal consequences.
“They think it’s a joke until they’re found out and then they’ve got to pay the consequence,” said Master Sergeant Dominick Mesiti with the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
He added that even when threats turn out to be pranks, police treat every report seriously:
“When you don’t take it serious and let one slip, that might be the one that causes damage, so we take each threat seriously.”
Parents and Students React to the Scare
The fake threat left many families on edge. Several parents contacted police as the video spread, and extra security was quickly posted at Southport Middle School to ensure safety Monday morning.
Seventh-grader Ryder Scimeca told reporters the situation was frightening: “Some kids in school were talking about it. It was scary.”
His father said he wasn’t entirely surprised but felt reassured by the police response. “Not really with everything that’s been going on,” he said. “I feel safe with him being here.”
Another parent described the post as “not funny and very serious,” adding, “I’m glad the school handled it as such.”
Video Source: CBS 12 News
Suspect’s Mother: ‘He Made a Stupid Mistake’
The suspect’s mother, who spoke with CBS12 News, said her son had no malicious intent and deeply regretted the decision.
“It was just a mistake, like a stupid mistake, and Justin is not that kind of kid,” she said.
Police confirmed that Joseph was charged with one count of electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct an act of terrorism under Florida law — a felony offense. He has been transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where the court will determine his punishment.
Similar Incident Reported Last Month
This arrest marks the second case in recent weeks involving a social media threat in St. Lucie County. On September 16, a 12-year-old student from St. Lucie West K-8 School was also arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot a classmate and the school. That student later admitted the post was meant as a prank.
Authorities say these incidents highlight a growing problem of students misusing social media platforms for attention or shock value — behavior that carries real-world consequences.
Police Urge Parents to Stay Involved
Port St. Lucie police are urging parents to monitor their children’s online activity closely and talk to them about the seriousness of digital threats.
“Even if they think it’s a joke, once it’s online, it’s treated as real,” Sgt. Mesiti said. “We’d rather investigate 100 fake threats than miss one real one.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and the school district has not yet confirmed whether Joseph will be allowed to return to Southport Middle.
Stay with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for updates on this developing story and other national safety alerts.
