FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A suspicious 911 call, thought to have been a prank, led authorities Friday to lock down students at Westglades Middle, the Parkland school that’s right next to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. But the all-clear was given about 10:30 a.m. local time.
“We’re taking all precautionary measures to make sure the school is safe and secure,” said Broward Sheriff’s Sgt. Donald Prichard. “It appears to be a prank call at this time. However, out of an abundance of caution, we’re handling it like a real threat.”
The 911 call came at about 9 a.m., and the all-clear was given about 10:30 a.m. Details about what was said in the suspicious call were not immediately available.
Coral Springs police sent officers to the area to assist sheriff’s deputies “just in case they need something,” said Deputy Chief Brad McKeone. “It looks like a prank call at this point.”
He said several schools in northern Coral Springs, including Eagle Ridge Elementary, were briefly put on lockdown as well as precaution.
Dismissal time is about 3:30 p.m., but dozens of parents showed up mid-morning at Westglades Middle School to pick up their children early.
Feb. 14 marks three years since the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High, which left 17 dead and another 17 injured.
