A Leesburg teen was arrested with a firearm after allegedly threatening to shoot another student over Instagram.
A deputy responded to 33733 Secret Hill Dr., Leesburg, regarding a shooting threat at 6:25 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement had been notified of 18-year-old Landon Robert Cook’s threat to shoot a male that went to a different high school. The victim sent screenshots of messages that were sent through Instagram. There were additional rumors that Cook had posted pictures and videos of him holding a gun, the report said.
Upon arrival, the deputy met with Cook’s stepfather who stated he was unaware of Cook having any access to guns. All the family’s firearms were locked in a shed away from the residence. He still gave his consent for the deputy to search for weapons in Cook’s bedroom, the report said.
The deputy subsequently found a green Canik TP9 Elite 9mm pistol in between Cook’s mattress and bed spring. The pistol was equipped with a round in the chamber along with a magazine carrying 17 hollow-point 9mm rounds. To the west corner of the bedroom, located between the bed and a bedside table, there was a single empty magazine, the report said.
Along with this magazine, there was a box of Range Dynamics Ammunition containing 26 full-metal-jacket rounds. To the east corner, between the bed and another bedside table, was a pistol light. The officer also found a plastic Ziploc bag containing 33 9mm rounds, which contained a mix of hollow-point and full-metal-jacket rounds, in the closet, the report said.
After the deputy searched the bedroom, Cook came home from hanging out with friends. He advised that he bought the pistol from a friend he met at Tavares High School. He clarified that he did not buy it while on school grounds, the report said.
Cook then confirmed that he did make threats against another student that attended Alee Academy. He gave consent to look through his Instagram messages from his account. These messages were a series of text and audio recordings sent to another handle, the report said.
Cook advised that he deleted most of the messages that contained what he was threatening. He admitted to threatening to shoot the victim to kill him due to him having a previous altercation with a girl that he was interested in dating. He did not intend to fully commit the act but was still trying to instill fear in the victim. He stated the victim would be aware of him owning a firearm due to the posted pictures and videos of his firearm and pistol lights, the report said.
While Cook finished a sworn statement, his mother got him. Cook began apologizing profusely, stating he was aware that it was wrong of him to have a gun. He bought the gun for protection but took responsibility for using it in a threatening manner to others. He continuously acknowledged that he was aware what he was doing was wrong, which was the reason he deleted everything in an attempt to cover it up, the report said.
Cook was arrested on charges of electronic threats to kill and possession of firearm in commission of a felony. The Michigan native was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond.