FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A series of swatting calls is disrupting Flagler County schools and police are attempting to push back.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said threats were made toward Buddy Taylor Middle School and Wadsworth Elementary School over the phone Tuesday around 2:15 p.m. The sheriff's office cleared the schools about an hour later. However, both schools were in lockdown.
The threats came in at FCSO's non-emergency line and at Buddy Taylor. Another anonymous call was made to Old Kings Elementary School, causing a significant law enforcement presence.
There was a delay in picking up students. Flagler Schools posted the following update:
"All of our students involved in this delay are safe. Families with children on these buses are being contacted and will be directed to Indian Trails Middle School if they wish to pick up their student. Otherwise, until the situation is clear with the school, the school schedule will resume as normal."
Then, the threats came in for First Baptist Christian Academy of Palm Coast and Suncoast Community School, reported by the Bunnell Police Department at about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. Both schools were cleared by 4:49 p.m., according to the agency.
On Thursday morning, a bomb threat was made toward Buddy Taylor again during dropoff; the all clear was given around 8:30 a.m., the sheriff's office said. Buses were rerouted and patrols were upped at local schools.
Sheriff Rick Staly said students were out at Buddy Taylor when the call was made, indicating the caller didn't know the school's schedule. Another call said two bombs
One calls was first reported to Lincoln Police Department in Nebraska, who notified Flagler. Volusia County also received one of the threats toward Flagler.
"We had a lot of of activity going on with multiple units responding," Staly said.
The sheriff's office said they are investigating the calls as “swatting" a nationwide trend where a caller makes a fake report of a shooting or bombing requiring a large law enforcement presence, sometimes resulting in death of the victim at the hands of law enforcement, though Staly said deputies are trained for swatting-type calls.
"In most instances, the caller is a current or former student," the sheriff's office said.
Staly said the calls are difficult to trace, but the agency is working with federal partners and law enforcement agencies around the country. Staly said no gun, bomb or suspicious device have been found. He said the suspect has racked up eight felonies and Thursday afternoon's press conference would be the last in order to avoid inflating the suspect's "sick ego."
Staly says there's no indication the calls were made to distract authorities from another crime taking place.
"They are getting what they're trying to accomplish, a large response from law enforcement," Staly said.
Staly said he's not releasing the calls because it could hamper the investigation.
The agency is soliciting tips at 386-313-4911, by email at TIPS@flaglersheriff.com or via the FCSO app.
