The father of a Florida boy apprehended for threatening to shoot up his school burst into tears as he struggled to grasp his 10-year-old son’s shocking arrest — while investigators confirmed firearms were discovered in the family home.
“At this point, I don’t feel comfortable saying anything because I don’t want to make a mistake,” an emotional Dereck Marquez told The New York Post through sobs when asked about allegations against his son, Daniel Issac Marquez, who allegedly threatened to shoot up Patriot Elementary School in Cape Coral.
“I would appreciate not talking right now.”
The 35-year-old father, Marquez, then mentioned hiring a lawyer for his son before shutting down the brief interview.
“I would appreciate not talking right now,” the crying father said. “When I feel comfortable, I will definitely call you.”
According to an arrest report obtained by The Post, Marquez told Lee County deputies he was “expecting to meet with law enforcement” after being informed about the text-message shooting threat allegedly sent by his son.
Meanwhile, during an interview on Tuesday, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told The Post that Daniel had access to guns at his home in Cape Coral.
“There were guns in his household,” Marceno said, adding they were legally owned by Daniel’s father. “I don’t know exactly how they’re stored, but understand, making that threat, there are firearms in the house, so that brings a whole different dynamic as well.”
Marceno said he was unsure what type of firearms were discovered in the Marquez home. However, Daniel allegedly shared a Google image of four AR-style rifles he said he purchased and told his buddy to “get ready for water day” — referring to a school-sponsored event wherein students take part in water activities.
“The last thing we want to do is put a 10-year-old or a juvenile in handcuffs, that’s the last thing we want to do,” Marceno continued. “But I have to be consistent with that message, and that is: Fake threat, real consequence. I’m going back to the old school.”
Marceno urged other parents to talk with their children about mass school shootings — like the one in Uvalde, Texas, that tragically claimed the lives of 19 fourth-graders and two teachers on May 24 — and to stress the importance of not making any “fake threats” to anyone.
“I want the parents to help us,” Marceno said. “Sit their children down, talk to them. Talk to them about what they see on the news and tell them, ‘Look, we understand you can joke around, you’re a child, you’re 10, you’re 12, you’re 15, but a fake threat, a joke, is no longer a joke. It’s going to be a real consequence.’”
Daniel, who was arrested on a charge of making a written threat to conduct a mass shooting, will remain in juvenile detention for 21 days. His parents have hired a lawyer ahead of a June 13 court date, Marceno said.
Daniel’s dad and mom, who live separately, have spoken with investigators and neither of them has indicated that Daniel has any mental health issues, Marceno said.
The sheriff said he’s been receiving calls from parents since Saturday’s arrest, which was recorded and posted on Facebook by department officials.
“I’ve had countless calls and text messages from parents,” Marceno said. “First of all, number one, rightfully so, being very concerned. Being afraid of sending their child to school.”
Teachers, students and faculty alike must not be afraid to attend school, Marceno said while stressing the need for “zero tolerance” when it comes to alleged school threats.
“They want law and order and they’re trusting in me and my family members that when they kiss their child goodbye in the morning, that their child is in good hands and safe and going to return home,” Marceno said.
The sheriff also pushed back on critics who were upset about Saturday’s video of Daniel’s arrest.
“I know some people get upset — it’s a 10-year-old, right? The last thing we want to do is put a 10-year-old in handcuffs. But absolutely, without hesitation, when a 10-year-old, 12-year-old, 18-year-old — when they press a trigger on a firearm, the results are the same. I have to take that threat [as] real.”
Marceno said he’ll consistently be publishing mugshots and releasing videos of suspects being apprehended as long as crimes have been committed.
“We are going to make certain that we send a clear message of zero tolerance,” Marceno said. “A lot of parents said, ‘My child saw that child walking in handcuffs. They saw his mugshot, my child is afraid and now knows don’t make any threats.’ And we want that message.”