JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A prank call led to a Code Yellow lockdown on Tuesday afternoon at Atlantic Coast High School, Duval County Public Schools said.
According to a message sent to parents by Principal Dr. Michael George, a caller claiming to be an ACHS teacher called the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office directly and said there was an active shooter on campus.
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A Code Yellow lockdown means students and staff are “limited to essential movement only.”
George told ACHS families, “JSO quickly responded to our campus and their investigation determined that the call was a prank.”
He also urged parents to remind their students that making false reports to law enforcement is a crime.
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Here is the full message from George:
“Good Afternoon Atlantic Coast High School families, this is Principal George. First, I want to assure you that all students and staff were safe. However, our school was placed on a Code Yellow this afternoon, for about an hour, due to a prank telephone call made directly to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The caller pretended to be a teacher at our school and claimed to be reporting an active shooter on campus. JSO quickly responded to our campus and their investigation determined that the call was a prank.
“We are grateful for the quick response from our faculty and staff. They followed the necessary protocols to ensure the safety of all students on campus. We are very pleased with the quick response from JSO and very thankful that there was not a real threat; however this is the perfect opportunity to share that we take every report of a threat very seriously. Please remind students that making false reports to law enforcement is a crime and will result in serious criminal charges as well as district disciplinary actions.
“Thank you for your continued support, and please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Thank you and have a good rest of your day.
“Respectfully, Dr. George”
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