What to do when threatened?

[Rhapsody]

Hello.... I am the mother of a 20 year son who has been dating a girl (age 22) for almost a month and her ex boy friend has come back into town and he is upset that my son is with his ex that he wants to fight my son. The ex boy friend has gotten so angry as the hours have passed in the day that he is now threatening to kill my son if keeps seeing his ex girl friend or if he sees my son at this girls house tomorrow when he drives by.

What can we personally do about this situation for our own safety and for the safety of our son?

Thank you,
(Polk County, Florida)

[Samuel]

Is the girl worth the hassle?

[icu650]

Before your son does any of the below, make sure your son has dates and times of the threats and a witness.

1. Have your son go to the police department and file a report for harrassment if he truly thinks he is in danger.
2. Take this report number and go to the courts and request to speak to an assistant District Attorney or ask where you can file for an order of protection.
3. Once this order of protection is granted your son still must be careful for two reasons. The offender has to be served with this order so that he knows it exists. 2. Even after being served the offender just might not give a damn if he gets arrested. Remember, however, that this step could increase his rage and should be thought out first.

[Rhapsody]

So, other than getting a restraining order (which is good - I think) there is nothing that can be done, but wait it out.... that which within its self could prove to be dangerous as we just found out that this ex is a drug dealer and carries a loaded gun on him or in his car at all times.

... and for the record, no she is not worth the hassle or the life of my son as a mother should not have to bury two children in one life time (and I already buried a ten year old due to medical reason). "my son and her have broken up"

[GoDirectly2Jail]

So, other than getting a restraining order (which is good - I think) there is nothing that can be done, but wait it out.... that which within its self could prove to be dangerous as we just found out that this ex is a drug dealer and carries a loaded gun on him or in his car at all times.

... and for the record, no she is not worth the hassle or the life of my son as a mother should not have to bury two children in one life time (and I already buried a ten year old due to medical reason). "my son and her have broken up"

There is no such thing as a legal "pre-emptive strike". By the very definition, until the ex does something, he hasn't done something. This is where being aware of your surroundings and making good choices come into the forefront.

[fatboyjim154]

Is the girl worth the hassle?

+1.

[icu650]

I know what I would do - You answered your own question. You wrote; "we just found out that this ex is a drug dealer and carries a loaded gun on him or in his car at all times." And, "if he sees my son at this girls house tomorrow when he drives by." I would be tempted to let the police know exactly what you have written to us and let them deal with that tomorrow. Provide his name and age etc. Let them deal with the probable cause to stop. Ask them to keep your information anonymous. Tell your son to stay away from that area for a while.
I am trying to give you an immediate answer due to your time constraints.

[L-1]

Florida may have a terrorist threat law, whish prohibits making threats of great bodily harm or death that place one in sustained fear for their life or safety.

The key is usually whether these threats were clearly articulated rather than implied and left to your imagination and whether the victim was truly in fear rather than mereley annoyed. Additionally, the victim must be able to cleary convey these facts to the police for them to be able to do anything.