A 12-year-old middle school student in Florida was arrested after authorities discovered a chilling 13-step manifesto detailing exactly how she planned to execute a mass shooting at her school, naming specific targets and mapping out the sequence from arrival to suicide.
Story Snapshot
- Josephine “Christian” Simmons-Peters arrested after posting detailed school shooting plan online targeting a teacher who gave her an F and students who bullied her
- 13-point manifesto included graphic violence plans, weapons hiding locations, and references to past mass shooters, but no guns were found at her home
- Anonymous tip through Fortify Florida platform triggered rapid investigation by Volusia Sheriff’s Office, leading to arrest within hours
- Case represents third recent school threat incident in Volusia County area, amplifying concerns about youth radicalization and bullying consequences
The Manifesto That Shocked Investigators
Deputies from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office didn’t encounter a typical vague school threat when they investigated the anonymous tip on February 22, 2026. What they discovered was a methodically planned attack blueprint that named individual victims, specified locations throughout Southwestern Middle School in DeLand, and detailed the sequence of violence this 12-year-old intended to carry out. The plan included shooting more than a dozen people in bathrooms and the cafeteria, then turning the weapon on herself. Sheriff Mike Chitwood made clear this wasn’t juvenile bluster but something genuinely alarming in its precision and intent.
The manifesto revealed specific motivations that paint a disturbing picture of how perceived injustices fester in young minds. Josephine targeted a teacher specifically because of an F grade received on a test. She named students who had bullied her, while sparing others she deemed innocent. The document referenced “Coline,” likely a misspelling of Columbine, indicating an idolization of past school shooters. Investigators found a male accomplice who admitted knowledge of the plan and his intended role. The level of detail distinguished this case from the dozens of impulsive threats law enforcement fields regularly.
When Anonymous Reporting Saves Lives
The Fortify Florida platform, established after the 2018 Parkland massacre, proved its worth in this case. A student who heard about the manifesto from a friend contacted authorities anonymously, setting off a chain reaction that likely prevented tragedy. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office Domestic Security Unit traced the IP address to DeLand, then methodically connected the dots through school records. The named targets matched actual students and staff at Southwestern Middle School. Grade records confirmed the F that motivated part of the plot. Bullying reports corroborated the relationships described in the manifesto.
Deputies arrested Josephine at approximately 1:30 a.m. on February 23 after she initially denied involvement but eventually confessed. She faces charges for written threats to kill and misuse of two-way communications devices. Authorities transported her to the Volusia Family Resource Center Juvenile Detention Facility. Sheriff Chitwood emphasized the “see something, say something” principle, noting that without the anonymous tip, investigators would never have uncovered this threat before it potentially materialized. The speed from tip to arrest demonstrates how seriously Florida law enforcement treats school threats in the post-Parkland era.
Bullying Doesn’t Justify Planning Murder
Sheriff Chitwood addressed the inevitable question about whether bullying might excuse or explain such violent fantasies. His response was unequivocal: being teased or receiving poor grades provides zero justification for planning to “wipe people off the earth.” The community agrees. While bullying remains a serious problem requiring intervention, the response to social rejection cannot be mass violence. Josephine had made one prior threat against another student, though investigators noted it was far less severe than this elaborately detailed plan. The escalation raises questions about what intervention opportunities were missed.
This case represents the third recent school threat incident in the Volusia County area, a troubling pattern that reflects both increased vigilance in reporting and perhaps a genuine rise in youth ideation of violence. The county serves roughly 64,000 students across its schools. While no weapons were recovered from Josephine’s home, Sheriff Chitwood pointed out the uncomfortable reality that kids can easily access firearms through street sources. The Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit now oversees her case, focusing on prevention and intervention rather than simply punishment. The broader implications extend beyond one troubled child to questions about how schools identify and address students exhibiting warning signs before written plans become violent actions.
Sources:
12-year-old girl arrested for threatening mass shooting at Volusia County middle school
Volusia County school shooting threat plan targets teacher and students
