LECANTO, Fla. — A Lecanto High School student was arrested after police say he raised concern on a false report of a gun on school property, a media alert from the Citrus County School District says.
At approximately 11:39 a.m. Friday, a teacher activated her crisis alert badge during class change after hearing of a possible gunman in the hallway, the alert explains.
"He's got a gun, he's got a gun," the Citrus County Sheriff's Office reports the student yelled out.
The administration and the resource deputy were reportedly notified and responded to the teacher's location within seconds.
It was revealed a student shouted he saw a student with a gun, leaders from the school district explain. Students started to run through the hallway as a result of this information.
One student reportedly was trampled and sent to the hospital for treatment while other students had minor injuries.
A lockdown was reportedly initiated for the entire Lecanto High School complex.
After finding the student who shouted, it was determined the student didn't actually see a gun before making his announcement in the hallway, the alert reports.
Deputies say the student saw someone pulling out a cell phone and "merely" made a joke.
"The duty to protect and serve Citrus County citizens begins with our youth, and we will do everything it takes to safeguard them. Threats are nothing to joke about," Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said in a statement.
The student was then arrested for a false report concerning the use of firearms in a violent matter which is a second-degree felony.
"I want to be clear. Threats of violence should never be a joking matter and those seeking attention for these types of situations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent," District Police Chief Dave Vincent said in a statement.
"Our administrators and first responders acted immediately to the reported threat for the safety of our students and staff and had a resolution to the investigation in less than 30 minutes."
