In the wake of Uvalde, Florida student thought it’d be funny to wear ‘Scream’ costume on school bus
On the morning of Friday, May 27, while students and their parents across the country were still reeling from the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 youngsters and two teachers died – a school prank in Martin County, Florida has gone horribly wrong.
A 16-year-old student who attends Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida, sauntered onto his school bus early yesterday morning on the last day of the academic school year, outfitted in full “Scream” costume garb, complete with a realistic looking but fake knife. The other students already on the bus were more than taken aback. They were alarmed and weren’t sure what to expect next.
“Scream” is a horror slasher franchise that includes five films beginning in 1996, according to IMDb.com. The film also spawned a television series and has sold millions of dollars worth of merchandise, including games. ~ WPXI
The School Resource Officer working with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was notified and the student was removed from the bus. Deputies searched the student’s bag and located a fake knife that completed the “Scream” outfit. The student said he thought his actions would be perceived as funny.
Although the 16-year-old didn’t break any criminal statutes by wearing the costume, he is now facing administrative disciplinary actions from the school district – especially considering Tuesday’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.
“In light of the devastating school massacre in Texas, we are urging all parents to speak to their children about the emotional fragility and concerns of others. Actions that might have seemed harmless and funny in the past, can cause fear and panic now. In addition, law enforcement has a duty to protect all children from unknown threats that cause panic and fear, and will do so accordingly.” ~ MCSO Sheriff William Snyder
“He thought it was a prank. He thought it would be a funny, end-of-the-year joke,” Snyder said. “We don’t see it that way.”
WFTV reported the Sheriff as saying that the teen prankster would not be identified because of his age; and although he didn’t bring a gun with him onto the bus, his actions further heightened fears that have been sweeping the country this week concerning school violence.
“It’s inexplicable,” Snyder told TCPalm.com. “Where in the recesses of this young person’s mind did he think that this should be funny?”
(Source and “Scream” Costume image: MCSO) / (Martin County High School image credit: Facebook)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
