FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – After a week of shooting threats targeting schools in Flagler County, Sheriff Rick Staly held a press conference Thursday afternoon to address concerns and “set the record straight” on the incidents.
Staly said that Buddy Taylor Middle School in Palm Coast has had shooting and bomb threats over the last three days. Old Kings Elementary in Flagler Beach also had a threat this week along with First Baptist Christian and Suncoast Area School, both in Bunnell.
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The sheriff said these types of threats, known as swatting, have been happening across the state and country.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, swatting involves “making a hoax call to 9-1-1 to draw a response from law enforcement, usually a SWAT team.”
“This year, in our state alone, swatting calls have been made to Bay County, Brevard County, Duval County, Escambia County and Miami Dade County. Nationwide swatting calls have been received from Las Vegas to Nebraska, targeting everyone from political officials to college campuses. These calls can be made from somewhere local to someone across the United States,” Staly said.
Somewhere between 19 to 24 units have responded every time a threat has been made, according to Staly.
“In every incident sheriff’s deputies swiftly responded in full force and searched thoroughly until no threats were found and everything was cleared, including using our explosive detection K9,” Staly said.
In addition, out of precaution, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting increased patrols at every public and private school throughout the county, and they said they will continue to do so until the end of the school year.
“We’re working with Flagler County Schools to ensure parents are informed of lockdowns in a timely manner,” Staly said. “It is imperative that parents and guardians follow instructions on pickup and drop-off procedures in the event of a threat.”
However, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said she understands if parents aren’t comfortable sending their children to school.
“In this event right now, if families are electing to keep their child at home, we are excusing those absences,” Moore said.
Staly said this would be the only press conference the sheriff’s office will hold until an arrest is made.
Tips can be sent by calling the FCSO non-emergency line at 386-313-4911, calling CrimeStoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477), emailing TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, or submitting a tip through the FCSO website or mobile app.