An 18-year-old Tampa man is behind bars after deputies say they traced a chilling post on X that threatened “little girls at a school” back to a local home. The message, investigators say, vowed to “set the record for most females killed in a single mass shooting.” Deputies took the suspect into custody without incident, and he now faces charges tied to making written threats to carry out a mass shooting.
According to the Tampa Free Press, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office tracked the post to a Tampa residence and identified the suspect as 18-year-old Oscar Nygard. Deputies told the outlet that Nygard admitted creating and posting the messages from the account, and that the investigation is still active.
"Threats like this strike fear into our communities and will never be treated as a joke," Sheriff Chad Chronister told the Tampa Free Press, thanking the person who tipped off investigators. He noted that deputies were able to locate and arrest the suspect before anyone was harmed and stressed that violent threats posted online are taken seriously and can result in criminal charges.
Charges and the ongoing probe
The suspect faces charges related to making written threats to conduct a mass shooting, and officials say the probe remains active. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has previously used the charge description "Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism" in news releases and characterizes such online threats as felonies that will be investigated aggressively. Guidance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also directs residents to FortifyFL and the agency's tip lines to report suspicious or threatening posts.
How similar cases were handled
Federal prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida have previously brought social-media threats involving schools into court, including a recent case where a Plant City man was convicted of interstate transmission of a threat related to Brandon High School. Prosecutors say that case illustrates how online threats can draw both local and federal scrutiny, depending on the facts and available evidence. The conviction was reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida.
What officials are asking residents to do
The Sheriff's Office is urging anyone who sees violent or threatening content online to submit a tip through FortifyFL or call the non-emergency line at 813-247-8200 so investigators can follow up. Deputies say tips from the public are often crucial for tracking accounts and preventing harm while investigations unfold. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office offers additional details on how to report threats and contact investigators.
