Buddy Taylor, Wadsworth schools placed on lockdown after 2nd threatening call

Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·2 min read
Flagler County Sheriff's deputies outside of Buddy Taylor Middle School, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after a threat put the school on lockdown.
Flagler County Sheriff's deputies outside of Buddy Taylor Middle School, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after a threat put the school on lockdown.

Buddy Taylor Middle School and Wadsworth Elementary School in Palm Coast were placed on lockdown Wednesday morning due to "swatting calls," according to a post by Flagler Schools.

The lockdown was lifted after law enforcement searched and cleared the schools, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

It was the second consecutive day that the schools were disrupted due to "swatting calls," an increasing nationwide trend in which someone makes false reports of a shooting or bomb threat prompting a law enforcement response, such as SWAT teams, to schools and causing lockdowns, the sheriff's office stated.

Wednesday's call interrupted the morning start to the school day as parents were told to "stay where they are and remain available to receive updates and instructions as needed."

A sheriff's office vehicle and a deputy blocked the entrance to the school.

Two swatting calls in two days

The first call came in to the sheriff's office non-emergency line Tuesday. The second call was made to Buddy Taylor Middle School Wednesday. The sheriff's office responded in force to each call and both schools were searched and cleared, the sheriff's office stated.

The anonymous calls were made by a male, according to FCSO.

The sheriff's office stated that "in most instances, the caller is a current or former student."

Sheriff's office asks for tips

The sheriff's office posted on social media Wednesday that there was a "heavy police presence" outside the middle school after "anonymous male calls in threats again."

The school received threats of a shooter on Tuesday which prompted police to search the campus before issuing an all-clear.

The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call its non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 or email TIPS@flaglersheriff.com. A tip can also be submitted on the sheriff's office website or its app.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Buddy Taylor, Wadsworth schools cleared after 2nd threatening call