Police in Daytona Beach, Florida, arrested a 15‑year‑old student from Mainland High School after the school’s safety software, Gaggle, flagged a message she typed on a school‑issued account that read, “how to kill the president,” followed by “just kidding.” The incident occurred on October 30, the same day President Donald Trump was scheduled to hold a rally in the city.
School safety system alerts authorities
According to an affidavit obtained by WESH, a school resource officer received a call at 11 a.m. after the principal was notified of the Gaggle alert. The AI‑driven platform, which monitors student communications for potential threats, immediately notified faculty, staff, and local law‑enforcement agencies.
Detention and arrest
When officers arrived, the teen allegedly resisted detention, attempting to leave the office and then kicking and swinging her arms. The officer reported having to “bear‑hug” the student and redirect her to the floor before she was placed in handcuffs. The teen was taken to the Family Resource Center for processing.
Charges filed
The affidavit states the girl faces three charges: a written/electronic threat to kill, depriving police of means to protect or communicate, and resisting without violence. No name was released due to her age.
Context of the threat
The affidavit notes that President Trump’s upcoming visit to Daytona Beach was publicly known, and the teen’s claim of “just kidding” suggests she understood a reasonable person would view the original comment as a threat. The arrest follows a separate case in the same area where a 21‑year‑old woman was charged for making similar threats toward President Trump.
School and community response
School officials emphasized the importance of the Gaggle system in maintaining a safe environment for students and staff. Local law‑enforcement praised the swift coordination between the school and police, underscoring the community’s commitment to protecting both students and public figures.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
