Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff Mike Chitwood made headlines on Monday after announcing the arrest of 11-year-old Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli, a middle school student who allegedly threatened to shoot up his school.

Dorelli’s arrest comes amid rising tensions over threats to schools across the state, with law enforcement agencies ramping up efforts to address what they describe as an out-of-control trend of false threats and potential violence.

Dorelli, who attends Creekside Middle School, was charged with a felony for making a written threat of a mass shooting. According to Sheriff Chitwood, the boy had compiled a list of names and targets but claimed that the threats were made in jest.

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Law enforcement, however, did not take the situation lightly. Along with the arrest, authorities confiscated a collection of weapons from Dorelli’s home, including airsoft rifles, pistols, fake ammunition, knives, swords, and other items he had allegedly shown off to classmates in a video.

In a public statement, Chitwood made it clear that threats of this nature, whether real or not, would not be tolerated. “He had written a list of names and targets. He says it was all a joke,” Chitwood said on social media. “For his actions, Carlo ‘Kingston’ Dorelli is charged with a felony (making a written threat of a mass shooting).”

As promised. We just arrested a Creekside Middle School student who made threats to commit a school shooting at Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School.

He had written a list of names and targets. He says it was all a joke. pic.twitter.com/1yHHiD0pJj

— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) September 16, 2024

Sheriff Chitwood has taken an aggressive stance on the issue, publicly shaming those involved in making threats.

The sheriff released Dorelli’s mugshot and a video of the 11-year-old being “perp walked” by deputies, vowing to continue this practice for juveniles charged with similar offenses.

At the house @VolusiaSheriff deputies recovered airsoft guns, fake ammunition, knives, swords and other weapons he was showing off to other students on video. For his actions, Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli (age 11) is charged with a felony (making a written threat of a mass shooting) pic.twitter.com/85iDpjVqk4

— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) September 16, 2024

“Every time we make an arrest [of a student], your kid’s photo is going to be put out there, and if I can do it, I am going to perp walk your kid,” Chitwood stated.

The sheriff further warned that parents who knew of their child’s dangerous actions and failed to intervene would also face public embarrassment and possible legal consequences. “If I can find out that a parent knew what was going on and wasn’t doing anything, your ass is getting perp walked with ‘em,” Chitwood declared.

As promised. This 11-year-old is charged with making a written threat of a mass shooting at Creekside Middle School or Silver Sands Middle School pic.twitter.com/yIvuvkLgAg

— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) September 16, 2024

Chitwood’s tough approach comes in response to what he described as a growing epidemic of false school shooting threats in the area.

Just weeks earlier, Volusia County law enforcement responded to 54 bomb threats in a single night, all of which turned out to be hoaxes.

These false alarms have drained resources, costing the county thousands of dollars and diverting law enforcement from more pressing matters. “It’s cost $21,000 to do these investigations,” Chitwood said. “This is absolutely out of control, and it ends now.”

Dorelli’s arrest is the latest in a string of incidents involving threats against schools in Volusia County.

Earlier in September, two other students were arrested for making written threats to kill, part of a broader trend that has seen 207 threats reported to the state’s Fortify Florida app this year alone.

Sheriff Chitwood has been vocal about his frustration with the volume of false threats, stating that law enforcement resources are being consumed by students who think making such threats is a joke. “The purpose of Fortify Florida is to send in tips that we’re going to investigate because you believe something is going to happen,” Chitwood said, referring to the app designed for anonymously reporting suspicious activity. “To keep sending in these tips over and over again and think it’s a big joke, and nothing’s going to happen to it—starting Monday, we’re going to have a billboard… we’re gonna have a poster out.”

Please read the thread and take home the message. If you post a threat to shoot up a school, our job is to ID you and track you down. You can say you’re just joking, playing around, looking for attention – you’re going to have a felony to show for it https://t.co/JRKbHYF2ke

— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) September 13, 2024

Schools across FL have been dealing with a spike in threats. No credible threats to any Volusia schools have been identified.

However, each threat causes disruption, alarm & a major consumption of law enforcement resources required to thoroughly and immediately investigate it.

— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) September 13, 2024

This message is not meant to dissuade anyone from reporting a tip about a possible threat, even if the threat turns out to be a hoax.

We continue to encourage students to “See Something, Say Something” and allow authorities to fully investigate every potential threat.

— Volusia Sheriff (@VolusiaSheriff) September 13, 2024

The recent spate of threats has raised alarm across the state, leading officials to adopt stricter measures to prevent further incidents.

Chitwood’s tough stance is seen by some as a necessary deterrent in an environment where online and written threats have become disturbingly common.

Chitwood’s public statements suggest a broader strategy of using public shame as a deterrent to prevent future incidents. “We’re going to come and get you, and we’re going to put you out for public embarrassment,” Chitwood warned.

Chitwood’s firm approach has received both praise and criticism. While some parents and community members support the sheriff’s efforts to crack down on these threats, others have raised concerns about publicly shaming minors and whether such actions are appropriate for juveniles.

The arrest of Dorelli also comes at a time when school safety is a national concern.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have been on high alert following high-profile school shootings in recent years.

In Florida, efforts to prevent potential tragedies have been ramped up, especially following incidents like the 2018 Parkland shooting, which resulted in significant reforms to school safety policies statewide.

The Fortify Florida app, introduced in the wake of that shooting, has provided an important tool for students, parents, and community members to report threats.

However, as seen in Volusia County, the high volume of false tips is a growing problem that law enforcement is grappling with.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s decision to publicly arrest and perp walk 11-year-old Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli for his alleged school shooting threat highlights the serious approach authorities are taking in response to school threats in Florida.

As false tips and potential threats continue to disrupt communities, the sheriff’s tough stance on accountability—both for students and parents—marks a significant escalation in the fight against school violence.

However, the broader debate over how best to handle juvenile offenders and the role of public shaming in the justice system is likely to continue as more cases like Dorelli’s emerge.

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