GULF COUNTY, FL – Gulf County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) Deputies responded to Wewahitchka High School (WHS), shortly after 1:00 PM, today after the School Resource Deputy was alerted by school staff of a written bomb threat. The threat was discovered in the boy’s bathroom and prompted the evacuation and dismissal of students and staff for the day. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit assisted in a search of the campus.
No explosive devices were located, and the school facility is deemed safe. Investigators developed Simeon Jonathan Cain (17) as a suspect after reviewing video captured by the school’s surveillance system. During an interview, Cain admitted to writing the threat saying that he was dared to do it.
“Parents, please sit down and have a real conversation with your children and emphasize the seriousness of this incident,” said Sheriff Mike Harrison. “This young man is being detained in the juvenile detention center, charged with a felony and a misdemeanor. These charges could potentially affect his life forever.”
School is scheduled to resume its regular schedule tomorrow. Cain is currently being held and awaiting first appearance at the Bay Regional Juvenile Detention Center on one count of Threatening to Discharge a Destructive Device (2nd Degree Felony) and one count of Interference with School Administration Functions (2nd Degree Misdemeanor).