Student who made social media threat arrested, Marion County school officials say

West Port High operating 'normally' after threat found, officials say

OCALA, Fla. – A student who made a threat on social media last week at West Port High School has been arrested, Marion County Public Schools officials said.

The Ocala high school had an increased security presence on campus during school hours after the social media threat made by a student was found by officials, school officials said.

After West Port High School administrators discovered the threat, Ocala police spoke directly to the student and the student's parent, according to Marion County Public School officials.

West Port High School principal Ken McAteer sent a telephone message to parents around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, letting them know that administrators and law enforcement were aware of the threat, and that it was safe to send students to school on Friday.

“We wanted you to know that law enforcement is currently aggressively investigating this matter," McAteer said. “Please be assured that it is safe to send your child to school tomorrow. We will have heightened security on our campus and we are extremely confident that our school day will proceed as normal.”

McAteer called the threat "isolated."

Marion County Public School officials said Ocala police had extra officers on campus Friday, and the school was operating on a normal schedule.

Marion County Public Schools officials told News 6 that Ocala police arrested the student in connection to the incident.

No other details about the threat were available.


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