FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — For the second day in a row, deputies are investigating a school threat in Palm Coast.
9 a.m. update:
A Flagler Schools spokesperson tells Channel 9 that both schools have been checked and cleared by deputies.
The lockdown has been lifted and normal school operations will resume.
Here’s what we know: in two days, anonymous calls came in from a male caller, first to FCSO’s non-emergency line and the second to Buddy Taylor Middle School. The caller made threats to BTMS, each time units responded in force to search both BTMS and Wadsworth Elementary. Both… pic.twitter.com/oXosVCVz8q
— Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (@FlaglerSheriff) May 15, 2024
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
“We are actively investigating the calls as “swatting calls,” a rising trend nationwide where a caller makes fake reports of shootings or bombs that draws an onslaught of SWAT teams or other law enforcement presence and cause schools to lockdown,” Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced on social media.
“In most instances, the caller is a current or former student,” FCSO said.
UPDATE: Lockdowns have been cleared at BTMS and Wadsworth. Both schools have begun accepting students.
— Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (@FlaglerSheriff) May 15, 2024
___________
There is a strong police presence at Buddy Taylor Middle School as anonymous male calls in threats again this morning. pic.twitter.com/Ij8bZGgI9d
Original story:
For the second day in a row, deputies are investigating a school threat in Palm Coast.
Deputies responded to the campuses of Buddy Taylor Middle and Wadsworth Elementary schools Wednesday morning, after someone called the school and made a threat, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said.
A spokesperson for Flagler Schools told Channel 9 that as of 8:15 a.m., both campuses were on lockdown.
The district said all students were safe and said parents were being contacted by the schools directly, but could also keep up to date via the district’s social media platforms.
There’s a heavy police presence outside Buddy Taylor Middle School this morning as anonymous male calls in threats again. pic.twitter.com/vULHSfgiZs
— Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (@FlaglerSheriff) May 15, 2024
Flagler Schools said students who were on buses heading to either school Wednesday morning were being diverted to Indian Trails Middle School.
READ: Weather Alert Day: Severe storms trigger Tornado Watch in Central Florida
District officials said parents are permitted to pick up their children at that location, but emphasized once law enforcement deemed both campuses safe, all classes and school operations would resume as planned.
Indian Trails Middle School is located at: 5505 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137
On, Tuesday afternoon, sheriff’s officials said someone called the county’s non-emergency line and threatened a shooting after students at Buddy Taylor Middle School had been released for the day.
READ: Survey: Majority of Florida teachers say not enough resources to combat student violence
FCSO said both campuses were checked and cleared after that threat was received.
Officials said they believe the same caller, an anonymous male, made Wednesday morning’s threat.
Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this story.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2024 Cox Media Group
