CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Parents and students in Clay County may notice an increased police presence at schools on Friday, following a threat discovered in a bathroom at Oakleaf High School.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook announced the precautionary measures in response to the threat, which coincides with the anniversary of the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
An employee at Oakleaf High School found graffiti in a bathroom that threatened violence. While Cook did not disclose the exact content of the graffiti, she confirmed that it was a threat.
The sheriff emphasized that the additional police presence is a precautionary measure and assured the community that she does not expect any issues.
“[Friday] is such a sad and unfortunate date because it’s the date and anniversary of Marjory Stoneman Douglas,” Cook said. “Any threats are taken seriously, but to threaten violence on that anniversary is horrid.”
Friday marks seven years since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed by a former student who opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle. The incident is considered one of the deadliest school shootings since Sandy Hook.
Cook assured the community that investigators have video footage of all students who entered the bathroom where the threat was found.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are conducting interviews to gather more information. The sheriff encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
