Police: Man admits posting threats to Jacksonville elementary school

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says 37-year-old has history of mental illness

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 37-year-old man who police say has a history of mental illness was arrested Friday after posting messages on a website threatening to "shoot all of you" at a Jacksonville elementary school.

Mark Chan was charged with written threats to kill or do bodily harm and was absentee booked into the Duval County jail.

According to the police report, a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office last Monday after seeing posts on the group's Internet bulletin board.  The post called the shooting at Newtown, Conn., Sandy Hook Elementary "wimpy" and said he would "buy a mass assault rifle," specifically mentioning Englewood Elementary School.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Mark Chan

Police tracked the screen name and located Chan (pictured, right) at the psychiatric unit at Baptist Medical Center, who admitted writing the posts and telling officers he lived only 50 yards from the school. According to the report, Chan denied owning a firearm.

Channel 4 crime expert Ken Jefferson said that while Chan is charged with a felony, Chan could still legally buy a gun unless he is convicted.

"There are no red flags," Jefferson said. "There's nothing because he's arrested that will be beside his name when you do a background check."

Chan remained at Baptist under guard until Sunday when a $50,003 bond as posted.  Channel 4 was told he remains hospitalized.