Crime
16-Year-Old Deltona High School Student Posts Photo of Glock and Threat After Xbox Gaming Dispute
A 16-year-old student at Deltona High School was taken into custody after posting a threatening message and an image of a firearm on his Xbox account.
The incident came to the attention of authorities through a Fortify Florida tip received around 1 p.m.
The student, who was engaged in online gaming at the time, expressed frustration with other players and decided to share the threatening post.
While the Glock photo was determined to be downloaded from the internet and the student does not possess a firearm, the threat was taken seriously due to recent school shooting incidents.
The student has been charged with making a written threat to kill, a felony.
Additionally, he has expressed thoughts of self-harm, prompting authorities to arrange for a mental health evaluation and necessary services.
Local law enforcement officials are urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity, including social media, gaming platforms, and other digital spaces.
They emphasize the importance of parental intervention to address potential issues and prevent harmful behaviors.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.