PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A chilling TikTok video warning of a bombing at Southport Middle School turned out to be a hoax, and the 14-year-old behind it is now in custody.
The video, which quickly circulated among students and parents, featured ominous white text reading: “On Monday The 20th Southport middle Is getting bombed by me Stay home alright.” Concerned parents flooded the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) with calls around 5:30 p.m. on October 19.
PSLPD said its detectives launched an investigation, tracing the TikTok account — under the alias “Benjamin Franklyn” — to a local IP address. Within five hours, they identified the suspect: a Southport Middle School student who admitted to posting the video as a prank using his iPhone.
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Police said no explosives or materials were found, but the teen was charged with one count of electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct an act of terrorism under Florida law. He was taken into custody and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Authorities emphasized that even hoax threats carry serious consequences. School security was alerted during the investigation to ensure student safety.
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