HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A 15-year-old student at Brandon High School was arrested Thursday after investigators determined he posted a threatening message on social media referencing a potential mass shooting, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
School Resource Deputies responded to the campus on Jan. 22, 2026, after receiving a tip that Hassan Yousef had posted a message stating he wanted to commit “Columbine Part Two,” authorities said.
Investigators interviewed Yousef, who admitted to creating and posting the message from his cellphone. He told deputies the post was intended as “dark humor,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies conducted a search and said no weapons were found on the student or anywhere on school property.
“Any kind of threat of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within our schools,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We want young people to understand that posts like this have serious consequences and will always be investigated. We encourage students to think before they post and to report anything that raises concern.”
Yousef was arrested and charged with written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, as well as unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The sheriff’s office encouraged anyone who sees threats made on social media to submit a tip through FortifyFL or contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
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