Sheriff: 2 South Lake HS students in 'Purge' masks accused of harassment

Deputy arrests pair at South Lake High School (Groveland)

GROVELAND, Fla. – Two South Lake High School students were arrested Friday, accused of wearing creepy masks and scaring fellow students. 

Fernando Cross, 18, and a 17-year-old student were wearing masks from the movie “The Purge: Anarchy” and scaring students in the parking lot Friday morning, Lake County Sheriff's Office Lt. John Herrell said.

"I think the biggest thing is that they were yanking open the doors of the students’ cars,” Herrell said. “That's very bold and brazen. I think that crosses the line in itself.”

Herrell said the actions went on for about 10 to 15 minutes before a student notified a teacher, who then alerted the school's resource deputy. 

"Their activity was very disruptive and it put these students in fear, so that's why they were charged," Herrell said.

To add to the scare, Herrell said a recent social media post threatening students and teachers had authorities on high alert. 

Herrell said the social media threat was not created in Florida, but the serious tone behind it was still taken seriously.

"They don't claim to have had any knowledge of any threat that was going along — going around on Instagram, so if that's true, this is obviously just a unique coincidence, I guess," Herrell said. 

News 6 talked to Cross via phone Friday. 

He said he didn't think the joke was a big deal, and said he didn't know about the social media threat. 

Cross' father didn't want to talk to News 6, but did say he didn't know what he was going to do next, with regard to his son's actions. 

News 6 spoke with students about the teens’ actions. 

Some football players said they were targeted, but never felt threatened. 

"They were like, 'Surprise,'" one football player said. 

Other students said they weren't worried. 

"I don't think it was scary,” one teen said. “I think it was stupid.”

Cross received a misdemeanor citation with a mandatory court date.  

The 17-year-old was referred to a Sheriff's Office diversionary program.