Clearwater man sent threat to elementary school after child’s suspension, police say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Clearwater man allegedly sent a threat to a Gorrie Elementary School in Tampa after his child was suspended, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Estaban Del Valle, 35, of Clearwater, was arrested Friday after police said he sent a text message threatening to shoot up the school. The message reportedly specifically targeted teachers.

The witness who received the text message immediately reported it to police.

Detectives were able to trace the message back to Del Valle’s phone and he was taken into custody at his home in Clearwater, police said.

“Anyone who makes the choice to threaten a school is not only breaking the law, but they are also attempting to cause fear and disruption in our community,” Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. “No student or teacher should ever feel unsafe going to school. It should be clear that this type of behavior is not tolerated in the Tampa Bay area and that law enforcement will use every available resource to investigate, apprehend, and hold offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Del Valle’s arrest comes as various schools in the Tampa Bay area have been dealing with threats over the past week. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it has investigated more than 100 threats since Sept. 4.

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