A chilling threat made by a parent led to heightened security at several schools in Duval County, Florida, and now the suspect is behind bars. Matthew Piner, aged 39, found himself in handcuffs following his arrest in Texas on December 17. His arrest comes just days after his alarming social media post caused a significant stir among the school communities in Jacksonville.
It was on December 15 that parents of students attending J. Allen Axson Elementary, Chets Creek Elementary, Kernan Middle, and Kernan Trail Elementary received an unsettling notification. The school district informed them of a precautionary lockout due to active police concerns. This lockdown was not lifted until the following day, effectively sealing off the campuses from any entry or exit during school hours.
The cause of this increased security was a threat made by Piner, who took to social media to declare, “Anyone possessing or keeping [his child] from me is to be shot on sight…” The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office quickly identified this as a credible threat, necessitating immediate protective measures across the affected schools.
While the incident has undoubtedly caused anxiety among parents and school staff, the swift action by law enforcement has ensured that the threat was addressed, and Piner is now facing the consequences of his actions. This serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of school safety and the serious repercussions of threats made in moments of desperation.
The lockout continued into Tuesday, during which no one was allowed to enter or leave campus during the school day.
The measures were later revealed to be a direct response to a threat made by Piner on social media. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Piner made a post, saying, “Anyone possessing or keeping [his child] from me is to be shot on sight…”
Piner’s child, whom he does not have custody of, is a student in the school district.
JSO said its investigation showed that Piner was driving to Jacksonville from California with a gun on Monday, leading them to order the lockout.
“We worked closely with Duval County School Police and FBI Jacksonville on this case. Together, we stopped what could have been a tragedy,” JSO wrote on social media.
He was jailed by the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office in Texas on JSO charges for making written threats of physical harm and violating an injunction against domestic violence.
