CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot a student at Orange Park High School on the first day of class.
On August 7, 2025, deputies were notified that an unknown suspect had repeatedly called a juvenile victim from a blocked number the previous day. When the victim answered, the caller threatened to shoot them on the first day of school. The suspect appeared to know the victim, sharing personal details that alarmed them enough to tell their family.
The victim’s mother later spoke to the suspect, who repeated the threat—this time directed at both the victim and her.
Detectives worked with the Clay County School Board to identify the suspect. On August 9, investigators determined the suspect was 16-year-old Joseph Nicholas Barrett. With cooperation from his family, Barrett was interviewed and arrested on two counts of aggravated stalking and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Authorities said there was no immediate evidence that Barrett had access to a firearm and believe the incident was isolated between him and the victim.
Barrett was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Jacksonville without incident.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and School Board emphasized their commitment to student safety and encouraged anyone with information about threats to report them immediately by calling 911, the non-emergency line at (904) 264-6512, or using the SaferWatch app.
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