Boca Raton Community High School was placed on lockdown Monday following reports of a possible armed individual on campus. Following an anonymous tip, the Boca Raton Police Department and the Palm Beach County School District Police Department arrived on the scene.
@BocaPolice are on scene at Boca Raton High School with @PBSchoolsPD in reference to a report of a possible armed subject on campus. Numerous officers are currently checking the school for suspicious activity. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/qkYdYTicad
— Boca Raton Police (@BocaPolice) December 2, 2024
The Boca Raton Police stated that police were aggressively checking the school for any suspicious behavior in a post on X, the old name of Twitter. Posting just before 12:30 p.m., the message referred to the issue as a “possible armed subject on campus.”
No Immediate Threat Found
Officers reported not seeing any proof of a confirmed threat despite the significant police presence. To protect the safety of the personnel and students, law officers kept searching the property. Throughout the inquiry, the school, which is situated at 1501 Northwest 15th Court close to Interstate 95 and Glades Road, was kept under lockdown.
Instructions for Parents
Parents were cautioned by authorities not to approach the school. They were told to wait at the Cinemark movie theater's parking lot at 3200 Airport Road instead. There, officers were on duty to inform worried family of developments. Parents and guardians were asked to maintain composure by the Palm Beach County School District. “There is no verified threat to the campus,” the district said, asking parents to stay away from the school.
SaferWatch Alert Initiates Lockdown
SaferWatch, a mobile panic alert program for reporting possible threats, provided the anonymous information that started the reaction. Police in Boca Raton affirmed the alert's origin and underlined their dedication to conducting a comprehensive investigation.
School District Reassures Families
A statement issued by the School District of Palm Beach County reiterated the school’s lockdown status. “All students and staff continue to be safe,” it read. The district confirmed police efforts to verify the threat and assured families of ongoing updates.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement agencies remained at the school as of Monday afternoon. Officers continued their investigation while making sure everyone on campus was safe.