Daytona Beach police shut down a portion of International Speedway Boulevard while responding Friday afternoon to an emergency call at Mainland High School, social media posts show.
Officers checked every room and building and didn’t find anything, according to a tweet posted just before 2 p.m.
“At this point it appears to be a false alarm and no threat to the school or the students,” the tweet states. “The roadway will remain closed for a short time while we clear the scene.”
Police said “a few people suffering from unrelated medical episodes” were treated on scene.
Chief Jakari Young tweeted at 1 p.m. that police responded to a panic alarm at the school “in reference to a gun threat.” He also stated that “no shots have been fired and there are no reported injuries.”
Police closed eastbound ISB at Clyde Morris Boulevard shortly after 1 p.m. Friday after all available officers responded to the school, according to the posts.
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Volusia County Schools spokesperson Angel Gomez confirmed the school was placed under lockdown shortly before 1 p.m.
“A couple of teachers pressed their lockdown security buttons, the one that hangs from their neck, it looks like during their first lunch,” Gomez said.
“Someone within the students, someone mentioned that they saw a gun or they heard that someone had a gun and that alone just caused the kids to start running in every direction, so when the teachers or the staff saw that, they put the school on lockdown. There’s no evidence of anything like that truly happening.”
Gomez said that police and school security were clearing the scene in teams by classroom to ensure there are no weapons present.
“This all happened based on a rumor,” Gomez said. “It looks like maybe it was a rumor that was made verbalized.”
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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