ORANGE PARK – Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies were notified on Aug. 7 that a student from Orange Park High received threatening calls from a blocked number from an unknown juvenile on Aug. 6 that the victim would be shot on the first day of school.

According to CCSO, the suspect appeared to know the victim, indicating certain personal information that caused the victim’s alarm and informed their family of the threats. The victim’s mother spoke to the suspect, who reiterated the threat to not only the victim but also to her.

Detectives, in collaboration with the Clay County School Board, began an immediate investigation. While working diligently to collect the suspect’s identity, the investigation on Aug. 8 led to identifying the suspect as 16-year-old Joseph Nicholas Barrett. With the cooperation of Barrett’s family, he was interviewed about the threats and arrested for two charges of aggravated stalking and one charge of the unlawful use of a two-way communication device. There was no immediate evidence of Barrett having access to a firearm, and the agency believes it was an isolated incident between Barrett and the victim.

Barrett was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Jacksonville without incident.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County School Board are committed to the safety of all students, and threats of violence will not be tolerated. Schools are a place for growing and learning without fear of harm. CCSO encourages anyone, whether a student, faculty member or a family member, to report any threats of violence, both on and off campus. If anyone in the community learns of any threats, you are encouraged to call the Clay County Sheriff’s Office using 911 or the non-emergency line at (904)264-6512, or submit a tip using the SaferWatch app.