FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating threats made to several schools after officials say they received eight suspicious calls in 48 hours.
The first incident happened Tuesday morning when someone called in a threat against Buddy Taylor Middle School.
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office reported threats made against BTMS, Wadsworth Elementary School and Old Kings Elementary School.
The last, which occurred Thursday morning, was a bomb threat against BTMS.
Officials said 84 units have responded in total to the threats made since Tuesday, and deputies did not find any guns, bombs or suspicious information. Each school was placed on lockdown during the investigation and was cleared to resume school activity.
The sheriff’s office said it has spent $8,000 to $10,000 on responses so far.
“We conducted proactive patrols to ease parents, kids and faculty concerns,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We are investigating these series of threats, which is occurring nationwide: hoaxes called swatting.”
“No gun was found. No bomb has been found. No suspicious package has been found,” he added.
Officials say “swatting calls” are a rising trend nationwide where a caller makes fake reports of shootings or bomb threats to draw a large law enforcement presence and cause schools to lock down. In most cases, FCSO officials say the caller is a current or former student.
Flagler County Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said these types of threats are extremely disruptive for students.
“It stops and halters learning on the campuses, because when we are in a lockdown, we’re not teaching,” she said.
Flagler County parent Krystal Kirkland said the threats happening right now have been especially hard on students because there is so much going on this close to the end of the school year.
“Nerves are already high,” she said. “You have finals, end-of-the-year parties, graduations. And you just wonder, ‘What if? What if this is going to be that one time that something happens?’”
Staly said the response that these types of calls force law enforcement into can be hazardous just in themselves.
“It’s dangerous for our deputies. It’s dangerous for the community in its response,” he said. “And that’s why we’re going to do everything we can to try to find this individual and arrest them.”
The caller or callers could face a total of eight third-degree felony charges if caught.
Flagler County School Board Chair Will Furry had harsh words of warning for whoever might be making the calls: “Stop it now. Whatever you’re trying to accomplish here in Flagler County, I can assure you, it will fail.”
Staly said his office will continue to treat each threat as if it is real and will respond accordingly.
He would not say whether he thinks one person or multiple persons are making all the calls. The only information he would provide about possible suspects is that, historically, calls of this type are made by people who are 16 to 24 years old.
WAYS TO SUBMIT A TIP
- Call FCSO at 386-313-4911
- Email TIPS@flaglersheriff.com
- Submit a tip on our website
- Submit a tip in the FCSO app
Flagler County Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said school activities will continue as normal. With six days left in the school year, she encourages parents to bring their children to school but will excuse absences for families who decide to keep students at home.
Here is the order of X posts made by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office regarding the threats made against schools: