A total of eight threats regarding a Central Florida high school shooting were reported on one day, leading to a lockdown and an ongoing investigation.
No firearm, bomb, or other weapons were ultimately found, but the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the school threat that forced Newsome High School in Lithia, outside of Tampa, into a lockout for several hours.
On Friday, September 13th at approximately 8:45am, a threat claiming to shoot a teacher and bring a bomb to the campus was posted on Fortify Florida, a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows users to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.
Deputies immediately responded, and the school was placed on lockout while several HCSO units, including the School Threat Assessment Response Squad, patrol deputies, K9, SWAT Team, Bomb Disposal Team, and Crisis Negotiations Team, systematically maneuvered through the school, ensuring the students and staff safety.
“The turmoil and trauma experienced today by these students, staff, and parents is unimaginable, and no community should ever have to endure such fear and uncertainty,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Every member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, myself included, is committed to deploying every available resource to ensure the safety and security of our schools is not compromised.”
A total of eight threats regarding Newsome High School were sent to Fortify Florida that day, according to local law enforcement. From September 4th through September 12th, HCSO has investigated 111 school-based threats submitted to Fortify Florida.
Approximately 200 members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spent several hours meticulously searching through buildings, conducting security screenings, and working with school administrators to evacuate students into secured areas.
After a thorough search of the school, no weapons or credible threats were uncovered.
The investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to investigate where this threat originated.
