(April 18, 2025) — On April 13, 2025, the Cape Coral Police Department was notified of a Crime Stoppers Tip regarding a male who threatened to commit a school shooting at Diplomat Elementary on April 17, 2025 on Snapchat. This was recorded and posted by a different male, who was later identified as Mario Garth (DOB 08/08/2000). The male in the video making the statements was identified as Karim Hussain (DOB 12/23/2001).
Our Violent Crimes Unit was notified and located Hussain. According to Hussain, he was highly intoxicated during the recording. He said he is a fan of “dark shock humor” and wanted to shock the group that he was with. Hussain said knew that he was being recorded, but he did not know it would be posted. Later, when Hussain learned that it was on Snapchat, he said asked Garth to remove the post, but Garth did not. Hussain admitted to owning several firearms, but said his statement was a joke and he was sorry he said it. Neither male had a criminal history.
An emergency Risk Protection Order Hearing was conducted, and the Court ruled in favor of a Temporary Ex Parte Risk Protection Order preventing Hussain from possessing and purchasing any firearms and ammunition. Hussain complied with the Court’s order to turn in all his firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. The final Risk Protection Order Hearing is set for April 21, 2025, where the Court will determine if the injunction remains in effect for 12 months.
Mario Garth was arrested and charged under F.S.S. 836.10(2)(a) Electronic Threat to Kill, a 2nd Degree Felony, for posting the threat on social media. Garth admitted that he did post the video, but said he did not know what Hussain said. Garth does not own any firearms.
On Thursday April 17, 2025, to ensure the safety of the students and staff, the Cape Coral Police Department had multiple officers present at Diplomat Elementary during school hours. The threat caused multiple parents to remove their children from school, and many students did not attend school that day. Because of this disruption to the school, Hussain was arrested and charged under F.S.S. 877.13(1)(c) Interfere with Minor-Attendance of School, a 2nd Degree Misdemeanor.
Arrested: Mario Garth (DOB 08/08/2000)
Arrested: Karim Hussain (DOB 12/23/2001)