HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — A Hillsborough County teenager, Bryce Crocker, 16, has been arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) for making bomb threats against schools on social media. The arrest occurred on November 16, 2023, following Crocker’s alarming posts on the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s Instagram account.
Crocker’s posts included threats to bomb and firebomb schools across the county, with specific mention of setting explosives to detonate at 3:00 pm in every school. HCSO’s STAR Detectives, collaborating with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Detectives, responded swiftly, reaching Crocker’s home on the 15000 block of Almond Wood Drive within an hour of being notified.
Upon interrogation, Crocker admitted to making the threatening comments. A subsequent search of the residence revealed no bomb-making materials. Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “There is no scenario where this kind of comment is a joke or funny. We take any threat of violence, especially involving our schools, very seriously.”
Crocker is now facing charges including three counts of Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism and one count of Unlawful Use of a Two Way Communications Device.
Following the incident, HCSO conducted direct patrols to check local schools, ensuring student safety. No evidence of explosives was found at any school. The investigation remains active, with updates to be provided by the HCSO Public Affairs Office.