Threats delay prom; ex-boyfriend jailed

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 7, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - The teenager police say threatened to pull a Virginia Tech-style shooting at the Zephyrhills High School prom was arrested Sunday on an unrelated outstanding warrant.

Bryan Stephen Roque, 18, of Wesley Chapel was arrested Sunday on a grand theft warrant issued March 14. As of Sunday night, no charges had been added in connection with Saturday's threat.

Principal Gerri Painter said Roque was not a student at the high school, but that his ex-girlfriend is a senior. Police said he was upset over a breakup with his girlfriend and also threatened to kill his girlfriend and her family.

The first threat to the prom, held at a Raymond James Stadium suite in Tampa, came in about 4 p.m., Painter said. Officials responded by adding more security.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the principal learned of a second threat that said the gunman was coming. Police moved students to the second floor and closed the perimeter. The lock-down delayed the prom for about 30 minutes. No gunman surfaced.

Police identified Roque as a suspect Sunday and later arrested him on the unrelated charge. His bail was set at $10, 000.

[Last modified May 7, 2007, 07:41:02]