LAKE CITY, Fla. — Law enforcement in Columbia County held a press conference to address the recent string of school threats. Four separate threats were made to Columbia County schools since Sunday.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter was joined by State Attorney for the Third Judicial District John Durrett and School Superintendent Lex Carswell. Sheriff Hunter said his deputies worked around the clock since Sunday afternoon to track down the people behind the four separate threats.
The first threat was made on social media on Sunday. A 13-year-old in Madison County was later arrested. Then, two more threats were made on Monday; two teenagers were arrested in Columbia County in connection to those threats. They all face second degree felony charges.
Sheriff Hunter confirmed a fourth threat was made Tuesday to Lake City Christian Academy. Deputies are still investigating the nature of the threat since it was not made on social media.
State Attorney John Durrett tried to hold back his emotions during the press conference. He spoke directly to the youth of Columbia County.
"We will find you, we will trace you, your friends will talk. They will arrest you. The best thing you can hope for is you are going to be held in secure detention, or you’ll get treated as a juvenile. It’s not a child’s game you’re playing," Durrett said.
These threats sparked debate and criticism on social media over the law few days. People wanted more information from the sheriff's office and they wanted to know whether their kids were safe at school. Sheriff Hunter reassured the community his office has made significant security investments in schools, including beefing up its school resource officer team.
Hunter also called out people spreading misinformation online.
“We’re feeding into exactly what the bad folks want, they want us to not feel secure. But I can promise you this…bad things are going to happen in the world. We’re doing everything we possibly can," Hunter said.
The sheriff said he will be working with the school district to provide information that helps students understand the consequences of making these types of threats.