PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A 23-year-old Pinellas Park man is behind bars after detectives traced an online mass shooting threat targeting a Largo learning center back to his personal device.
The investigation began on June 2, 2026, when the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Unit received a tip about a troubling comment left on Google Maps.
The post, which read, “I’m gonna shoot this school up on June 3,” was published under the listing for the Oakhurst Learning Center at 13233 102nd Avenue North in Largo.
Detectives used digital forensics to track the IP address of the account that posted the threat. The digital trail led investigators to a specific device and a phone number registered to Adam Ballou.
When detectives went to Ballou’s home, he confirmed the phone number was his. Investigators said Ballou also told them he had been in sole possession of the device all day and that no one else had access to it.
Ballou was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. He faces one count of making written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting.
Detectives noted that Ballou has no known relationship or affiliation with the Oakhurst Learning Center.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information regarding community or school threats to contact them immediately at (727) 582-6200 or to submit a tip online through the FortifyFL portal at https://getfortifyfl.com/.
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