BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 15-year-old New York boy accused of making online threats to shoot and kill students and staff at a Pembroke Pines charter school will remain in custody in Broward County, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Logan James Gollinger, who traveled more than 1,400 miles from Amsterdam, New York, appeared before a Broward judge to face charges related to the weeklong hoax threats made against students and staff members at Somerset Academy, located at 20803 Johnson St., on Nov. 9, 2024.
The judge sided with state attorneys, ordering Gollinger to stay in custody for a psychological evaluation scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Authorities say Gollinger, alongside 14-year-old Juan Antonio Banos, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, issued consecutive threats over five days targeting the charter school.
Police later determined that the name provided by the caller did not match any current or former students.
Additionally, Gollinger’s mother, Elizabeth Smith, 38, posted bond last week after authorities accused her of instructing Logan to delete evidence.
Gollinger faces charges including threatening to discharge a destructive device, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and disrupting an educational institution.
During the hearing, the judge allowed Gollinger and his father, Stephen Gollinger, who had traveled to Florida to support his son, to spend a brief moment together.
“It will be in your son’s best interest if they make an educated decision,” the judge said. “He has a life in New York.”
The judge also acknowledged Stephen Gollinger’s effort, adding, “I know you came a long way if you want to spend a few minutes with your son.”
Logan Gollinger is set to return to court on Feb. 5 to reassess his detention status.
Students who experienced the incidents last year recalled the chaos caused by the threats.
“It was a lot of cops, and we’ve never experienced something like that, so seeing that was like, shocking,” said Ericka Bruno, a 10th grader at the school.
Authorities confirmed that Logan Gollinger is facing one count each of threatening to discharge a destructive device, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and disrupting an educational institution.
Banos surrendered to Florida authorities last Wednesday and is being held by the Department of Juvenile Justice on charges that include harassment, making threats and disrupting an educational institution, investigators said.
Jail record show Smith is facing a felony charge of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence.
