A flurry of bomb threats sent Lake Placid High, Middle, and Elementary schools into lockdown on Wednesday, prompting a massive law enforcement response and traffic headaches around campus before officials declared the calls not credible. Deputies stressed there was no active shooter and that students and staff remained safe throughout the incident.
What officials said
According to the WTSP, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office said multiple bomb threats targeted the campuses and triggered the lockdown. After deputies and emergency crews swept the buildings, the threats were deemed not credible. There was no active shooter, and all students and staff were confirmed safe, the sheriff's office said.
Investigators are working to trace the origin of the calls while multiple agencies assisted at the scene, according to the sheriff's office.
Response on scene
Highlands County Emergency Management and Highlands County Fire Rescue staged nearby while deputies conducted precautionary clearings of classrooms and common areas. The response followed the School Board's emergency-management plan, which designates the Highlands County Sheriff's Office as the primary responder for bomb threats and spells out requirements for after-action reporting, according to the School Board of Highlands County.
District officials said parents would be notified through established alert systems once the campuses were fully cleared.
Traffic and closures
While investigators worked the scene, traffic was stopped on Green Dragon Drive near South Tangerine Avenue, and the Lake Placid Memorial Library stayed closed until authorities allowed traffic to resume, WTSP reported. The road closures disrupted school pickups and created backups on nearby streets.
Officials asked families to steer clear of the area and rely on official channels rather than trying to get to campus in the middle of the response.
What parents should know
District leaders described the lockdown as a precautionary measure and urged families to monitor official district channels for updates. Regular class schedules will resume once all buildings are cleared by law enforcement.
Lake Placid High School's live feed and the district website list contact information and will carry any official notices for families, including alerts about dismissals or extracurricular cancellations, according to Lake Placid High School. Parents who remain concerned were advised to contact their child's school or the Highlands County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number.
Investigation and next steps
Investigators will continue to review leads and digital information related to the threats. If a suspect is identified, they could face criminal charges, authorities said.
District policy requires after-action reports and coordination with the Office of Safe Schools following such incidents. Those reviews will guide any procedural changes that might be needed, according to the School Board of Highlands County. Anyone with information about the threats is asked to contact law enforcement.
