Columbine-Style Manifesto Shocks Florida School

A 12-year-old Florida student was arrested after posting a chilling 13-step manifesto online detailing plans for a Columbine-style mass shooting at her middle school, targeting specific students and a teacher by name.

Story Snapshot

Josephine Simmons-Peters arrested after anonymous tip revealed detailed online manifesto targeting Southwestern Middle School in DeLand, Florida
The 13-step plan modeled after Columbine included tactical details on weapon concealment, hiding locations, and specific timing for the attack
Student named specific targets including a teacher who gave her an F grade and students she claimed bullied her
Anonymous Fortify Florida reporting system credited with preventing potential tragedy before any weapons were obtained

Detailed Manifesto Discovered Through Anonymous Tip

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip on February 22, 2026, about a disturbing manifesto posted online by a student at Southwestern Middle School. The document outlined a comprehensive 13-step plan for executing a mass shooting comparable to the Columbine massacre. Sheriff Mike Chitwood emphasized the sophistication of the threat, noting it was “well thought out” with specific tactical elements including where to hide, how to smuggle weapons into the school, and precise timing for the attack. The plan contained graphic language requiring redaction and represented the most detailed threat the department had encountered from a juvenile offender.

Bullying and Academic Failure Cited as Motivations

Investigators determined the 12-year-old planned the attack in response to perceived bullying and academic struggles. The manifesto specifically named a teacher who had given her an F grade on a test, as well as several students she claimed were tormenting her. When authorities interviewed the named students, they admitted to teasing Simmons-Peters. Sheriff Chitwood noted the student had expressed “hatred that’s been growing,” reflecting a dangerous escalation from previous, less severe threats she had made. This wasn’t her first incident involving threats against other students, but authorities emphasized previous incidents were “nowhere near this level” of planning and intent.

Swift Arrest Prevents Potential Tragedy

Josephine Simmons-Peters was arrested at approximately 1:30 a.m. on February 23, 2026, and transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center juvenile detention facility. She faces multiple felony charges including written threats to kill and misuse of a two-way communication device. During the investigation, authorities found no firearms at her residence, indicating the arrest occurred before she could obtain weapons to execute her plan. Simmons-Peters initially denied involvement but later confessed to creating and posting the manifesto. A friend initially mentioned in the document as a potential co-conspirator clarified that Simmons-Peters had acted alone in developing the attack plan.

Anonymous Reporting System Proves Critical

The case demonstrates the effectiveness of Florida’s anonymous threat reporting infrastructure in preventing school violence. The tip came through Fortify Florida, a platform designed specifically for reporting school safety concerns without revealing the tipster’s identity. This “see something, say something” approach allowed a concerned community member to alert authorities before the threat materialized into action. Sheriff Chitwood publicly credited the anonymous reporting system with potentially saving lives, emphasizing that early intervention prevented what could have been a catastrophic tragedy. The swift law enforcement response, from tip to arrest in less than 24 hours, showcased coordinated threat assessment protocols that prioritize immediate action.

The incident raises serious concerns about youth exposure to mass shooting narratives and the glamorization of violence in online spaces. The explicit reference to Columbine as a model reflects how troubled youth can fixate on previous attacks, turning them into blueprints for their own violent fantasies. This case also highlights the critical need for schools to address bullying comprehensively and provide mental health interventions for struggling students before anger escalates into dangerous planning. The Volusia County community, serving approximately 64,000 students district-wide, now faces questions about enhanced security measures and early warning systems to identify at-risk youth before they reach this level of violent ideation.