UPDATE: A 13-year-old suspect was arrested Monday for making a prank call Friday that led to a Code Red lockdown at Loggers' Run Community Middle School.
According to authorities the suspect confessed to making the 911 call that there was a shooting at the school.
The teen is now in police custody and is being charged with making a false report regarding the use of a firearm in a violent manor, a second degree felony. The suspect is also subjected to disciplinary consequences that are outlined on the School District's Student Code of Conduct.
"I want to commend our students who were on campus Friday as this was unfolding," Krista Hierholzer, principal of Loggers' Run Middle School said in a call to the school's families. "I'd also like to thank School District Police for the thorough investigation of this threat, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for its assistance during the lockdown."
Police say that there was no validity to the call.
Safety of students and staff is priority #1 for @pbcsd
— Donald E. Fennoy II (@SuptFennoy) October 7, 2019
I will not tolerate threats against our schools. Tonight@SchoolPolicePBC arrested a suspect charged in such a case.
Details here:https://t.co/XDl3v0fp95
EARLIER STORY:
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Palm Beach County Schools police are investigating the source of a prank call made to 9-1-1 that a shooting had occurred at Loggers’ Run Middle School.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office over 30 deputies responded to the school along with Palm Beach County Schools Police and members of county fire and EMS late Friday afternoon.
The school issued a code red lockdown which turned up nothing.
The district is reminding the public under new Florida law, prank calls of terroristic threats made by phone and through social media are a second-degree felony.
School counselors and district support will be available for students that need it on Monday.
Loggers Run' Middle School Principal Krista Hierholzer released the following statement:
Good afternoon Loggers' Run Families, this is principal Krista Hierholzer calling with an important message.
During dismissal, a prank call prompted a large police presence on campus and the school went into lockdown. The source of this unsubstantiated call is currently being investigating. I want to thank the quick work of our School Police, as well as the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, for ensuring that our campus was secure.
At no time were any students in danger, and we continued dismissal once the lockdown was lifted.
Parents, the safety of our students and staff are our top priority. I want to commend our students as they fully cooperated by following procedures and remained calm throughout the lockdown.
This prank caused unnecessary fear into our community and I want to remind you that under a new Florida law, it is now a second-degree felony to falsely imply any shooting or terrorism threat or report on social media, text message or phone call – even if is a joke.
Our school counselors and District support will be available on Monday to ensure that our students have all of the emotional support they may need.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 561-883-8000. Thank you for your continued support of Loggers' Run Middle School.
