A threat to shoot up a Flagler County middle school has made its rounds on social media, and deputies said it could be linked to an ongoing feud that has many in the county concerned about safety.

  • Picture of gun, threatening words circulating Snapchat
  • Flagler County Sheriff's Office investigating reported threat
  • Deputies don't believe it's a credible threat

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said it began to receive calls about the threat Monday night and into Tuesday morning.

The threat was a picture of what appears to be a handgun with the words, "good bye everyone at btms." The picture was being shared across Snapchat, and it was then posted by a concerned parent into a popular Facebook group in Flagler County called Swip Swap Palm Coast — a group that people use to buy and sell things.

Marilyn Canady, a mother in the county, said she couldn't stop thinking about why someone would threaten Buddy Taylor Middle School and claim to want to hurt students and staff.

"I just don't understand why any adult, child, it doesn't matter, why you would do something like that," she said. "Hoax or not, there's no justification for that. Prices need to be paid."

Flagler County deputies said they spoke to the person the post was attributed to and said it appears someone else tried to pin it on that person.

"We really don't know much at this time," said Chief Mark Strobridge, of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. "In fact, really what it appears like is somebody set up another student in the school."

Deputies don't think there is any credible threat, but additional law enforcement was at the school Tuesday.

"These children mean the world to these parents — all my parents, not just me — and no parent should have to worry about what's going to happen at the school if my child goes to school today," Canady said.

Strobridge said one of the most difficult things for deputies is trying to track down who originally posted the picture with the gun. He said the picture was shared about 30 times on Snapchat. Although pictures disappear after a set period of time on the popular social media app, screen captures and pictures can be sent over and over in direct messages.

"To cut through those layers is a very difficult, laborious task that we all have to do," he said. "But make no mistake about it, Sheriff (Rick) Staly wants us to stay on top of this."

Canady said the person responsible should pay the price.

"I hope they find out who is responsible (and) I hope they are dealt with accordingly," Canady said.

According to the Sheriff's Office, some parents said they kept their students home Tuesday because of the picture.