Update: Police arrested a student in connection to the bomb threat.
Police arrested an eighth grader Monday evening after two Alachua County Public Schools were put on lockdown following reports of a bomb threat that morning.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 13-year-old Kanapaha Middle School student, after she confessed to deputies of sending both email threats, according to an ACSO press release. Police arrested her and charged her with written or electronic threats to commit an act of terrorism, disruption of a school function and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
She was sent to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Minors caught making bomb threats may be charged as adults and face a felony charge of up to 15 years in prison with a $10,000 fine, the previous Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kaley Behl said in 2021 when ACPS bomb threats made by students were on the rise.
The following information remains the same as reported earlier Monday afternoon.
A school administrator emailed the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office about a bomb threat made at Buchholz High School, according to a press release. ACSO was then made aware of another bomb threat at Kanapaha Middle School.
Officers from the K-9 unit, bomb squad and Juvenile Relations Bureau responded to the scene and immediately put both schools on lockdown before students were able to arrive, according to the ACSO press release.
Bomb squad technicians and explosive detection dogs are currently searching the interior of both schools, according to a Facebook post from ACSO.
The Buchholz administration put out a statement saying not all buildings are clear. However, the gym area was cleared, so students who are on campus can stay there.
Buchholz canceled classes for the day, and parents can go pick up their children. Pick-up traffic is being directed to enter and leave from the south gate of the main student parking lot.
Parents need a proper ID to pick up their students. Buses are coming to pick up students who are bus riders, according to the high school's administration.
Once the school receives an all clear from the police, after school activities will resume as scheduled.
No students at either school are currently allowed to enter. All students and faculty who have arrived on campus are safe.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Jordan Ramos at jramos@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @JordanR68971799.
Jordan Ramos is a fourth-year journalism major who spends his time singing in two different choirs and his a cappella group.
