ST. CLOUD, Fla. — A 14-year-old St. Cloud Middle School student was arrested Monday after allegedly threatening to shoot up the school during a TikTok livestream, according to the St. Cloud Police Department.
Police identified the student as Onix Taromino, who faces two felony charges, including making written or electronic threats to kill or cause bodily injury and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
According to police, a school resource officer was notified Sunday evening, November 8, about a threatening message posted during a TikTok livestream involving students playing video games.
Investigators said Taromino asked to join the livestream as a guest co-streamer but was denied. Following the rejection, he allegedly posted a message stating, “im gonna shoot up scms,” referring to St. Cloud Middle School on Michigan Avenue.
Two students who witnessed the message provided screenshots and sworn statements to investigators, according to the arrest affidavit.
Detectives located and interviewed Taromino on Monday, November 9. Police said the teenager acknowledged posting the threatening message but claimed he was joking and had no intention of carrying out the threat.
According to the affidavit, school district security officials reported that the student had no previous disciplinary issues or prior threat assessments.
Taromino was arrested Monday afternoon and transported to the Osceola County Juvenile Detention Center.
St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke emphasized that threats against schools are taken seriously, regardless of how they are communicated.
“The safety of our students, teachers and school staff is one of our highest priorities. Any threat of violence directed toward our schools is taken seriously, regardless of whether it is made in person or through social media,” Goerke said. “We remain committed to working closely with the Osceola County School District and community to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.”
The St. Cloud Police Department is reminding parents and guardians to speak with their children about responsible social media use and the serious legal consequences that can result from making threats, even when those statements are intended as jokes.
Police also encourage students and community members to immediately report threatening statements or suspicious behavior to school officials or law enforcement.
Anyone with information about potential threats to school safety can contact the St. Cloud Police Department at 407-891-6700 or call 911 in an emergency.
