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Lennard High School student charged following threat

For Immediate Release : Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Release Number: 19-389

Date

Wednesday November 6, 2019 3:19 PM

Location

Late last week, Damonique Kearns, 16, made comments regarding using a firearm against unnamed students at Lennard High School. The comments were made in the presence of two other student witnesses.
 
The students came forward on Tuesday, November, 5 stating that Kearns alleged she was "tired of the kids at school" and wanted to shoot them. She made a comment about wanting to build a death camp in the woods where she could make kids disappear. Kearns’ comments placed the student witnesses in fear.
 
School security was notified and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated. There was no evidence found the Kearns had the means to carry out her threats. Probable cause was developed to take Damonique Kearns into custody on Tuesday night for a charge of making a false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction, or concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner.
 
“The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office takes all threats of violence against students seriously, and we will continue to work with school staff to investigate these threats thoroughly,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I am urging all parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of making any threats. It's important for them to learn that even fake threats can have serious consequences and long term repercussions."