A bulletin from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said that “the man mentioned stabbing students and staff… using a kitchen knife from his home.”
The school — painted in stars and stripes — is named for Pledge of Allegiance writer Francis Bellamy, who apparently worked for TECO and lived his final years in Tampa. According to the bulletin, the man in custody targeted Bellamy because of “the school's 'obnoxious pride in America' as illustrated by the large American flag mural on the front of the building."
“He disliked the school because the exterior of the building is painted like an American flag and he has negative views of patriotism towards the United States,” Crystal Clark, chief communications officer for the sheriff’s office, told WFLA.
The bulletin also said that the man hid the kitchen knife in a handbag and was headed for the school with the intent to "stab as many children as possible," adding that, "If adults get in the way, he planned to stab them as well.”
The man did not make it out of his residence, according to the bulletin, because he was sidetracked by his roommate who learned of the plot from the man himself.
Deputies took the man into custody, searched his residence and said no firearms were found. Officials are investigating, and charges could follow, but there is "currently no safety threat for students, parents or staff of Bellamy Elementary" as of Monday.
WFTS said that the man has been Baker Acted.
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This article appears in Aug 8-15, 2019.