VCSO Investigating All Reports Of Suspicious Activity In Volusia Schools; 2 Bullets Found At Pine Ridge High School

Date Added: February 15, 2018 10:07 pm

VCSO INVESTIGATING ALL REPORTS OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN VOLUSIA SCHOOLS

2 bullets found at Pine Ridge High School on Thursday afternoon; hoax bomb threats at 2 middle schools; South Carolina student posts threat on Snapchat

While there are no credible threats to schools in Volusia County at this time, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is committed to investigating every report of suspicious behavior and activity on campuses in its jurisdiction — including an incident today at Pine Ridge High School in Deltona, where two bullets were found in a weight room.

Volusia County sheriff’s deputies responded to Pine Ridge around 2 p.m. this afternoon after a student found two bullets stuck between two mats in the school’s weight room. No weapon was found and no threats of violence were discovered.

A 17-year-old male student was questioned because he had been spotted sitting near the area where the ammunition was found. However, the student had no knowledge of the bullets.

The bullets, .22 caliber and .380 caliber, were found in an area where the students drop their book bags, but it’s unknown where they came from.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has provided an increased presence at several schools in recent days given recent events and is prepared to respond to all reports of threats or suspicious activity. 

While recent bomb threats written on bathroom walls at Southwestern Middle School and New Smyrna Beach Middle School were determined to be unfounded hoaxes, deputies took the threats seriously and have been working closely with school administrators in response.

In addition, a “Round 2 of Florida” school shooting threat recently posted on Snapchat apparently circulated among students across the country, including in Volusia County. A high school student in Spartanburg, S.C., was arrested today and faces criminal charges for making the threat. 

“We treat every one of these incidents seriously, and we will do everything we can to make sure every student is safe at school, especially in today’s heightened state of alarm,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “I want to encourage everyone to report suspicious activity when they see it. Don’t hesitate. If you see something, say something, and we will do something."