15-year-old arrested after hoax threats to Oakleaf High

Instagram post warning of potential school shooting led to fear, absentees

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 15-year-old freshman at Oakleaf High School was arrested early Friday morning in connection with a series of social media threats about a potential shooting at the school.

Multiple text messages sent Thursday night led Clay County deputies to a home in the Oakleaf neighborhood just before 1 a.m., where they arrested Alexandria Ashanti Summerset. She is charged with making a false report and written threats, both felonies, as well as a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a school function, an arrest report said.

The school board said Summerset also will face disciplinary action.

Summerset's father said that his daughter thought she was making joke -- one that didn't amuse anyone else.

"She thought it was something that was funny. It was not. Obviously, she thought she would get away with it and she didn't," he said.

Summeret lives with her parents, grandmother and two siblings. 

Deputies told News4Jax that a second threat to Oakleaf was posted on social media hours after Sheriff Darryl Daniels held a news conference Thursday addressing hoax threats. The Sheriff's Office said they were basically "ready and waiting" for the next threat and worked overnight to track the student down.

Summeret was processed at the Sheriff's Office's Middleburg Operations Center, then taken to a juvenile detention center in Duval County since Clay County does not have a juvenile holding facility. 

Superintendent Addison Davis praised the Sheriff's Office for its handling of the case:

"I applaud the Clay County Sheriff's Office and staff for their quick and detailed work in this investigation. The sheriff's office worked around the clock to identify the person behind these threats and took action immediately. I am extremely grateful for our continued partnership in keeping our schools and community safe and secure. As mentioned yesterday, this type of behavior will be addressed with zero tolerance and the student will be disciplined accordingly. Safety will remain our greatest priority and we will continue to foster a safe and respectful environment for our students and staff."

Addison also made a robocall to all Oakleaf parents saying, in part, "I appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through situations like this. Know that this kind of behavior will be addressed with zero tolerance."

The arrest comes one day after Davis disclosed that the district had received 11 threats on the heels of the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland on Valentine's Day. The school district said 40 percent of Oakleaf students stayed home on Thursday, but Friday's absentee rate was down to 20 percent. On an average day, school officials said 8 percent of students are absent.

"It’s been a ghost town. Things are just starting to wake back up, honestly," Oakleaf High senior DeAyndria Shepheard said. "It’s been very scary. I shouldn’t have to worry about a school shooter."

The original threat said, "My cousin has a bad disorder and he's planning on shooting Oaklef High School. ... Y'all is no joke." News4Jax was told Summeret does not have a cousin.

At his Thursday afternoon news conference, Sheriff Daniels said that none of the 17 treats made to Clay County schools received this school year were credible. The late Thursday post also included: "Ya'll. This is no Joke."

Daniels also warned that his agency takes all threats seriously and would prosecute anyone who makes one, whether it's real or a hoax.

"We will arrest you if we find out it's you. No bones about it. You will go to jail. You say, 'Poor little Timmy doesn't need to go to jail.' Well, poor little Timmy doesn't need to be making threats," Daniels said.

Daniels made appearance at several schools Friday, starting with Ridgeview High School. He visited Oakleaf around the middle of the day.

UNCUT: Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels on school safety
RELATED: Clay County Sheriff: 11 school threats since Parkland massacre | What to do if you see a threat on social media | Jacksonville-area schools on edge after series of threats

Daniels previously said his agency will crack down on the people suspected of making school threats, saying he has a zero tolerance policy. A Clay County teenager was arrested last year after allegedly making a bomb threat.

Schools across Northeast Florida and nationwide have been on edge since Feb. 14, when a gunman went on a shooting rampage inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 people.


About the Authors

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.

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