The Crestview Police Department responded to Lakewood Christian School on Old Bethel Road just after 9 a.m. Tuesday after the privately owned Christian school received an emailed bomb threat.
- Officers assisted in the prompt evacuation of students and staff upon arrival. Old Bethel Road was closed and traffic was re-routed around the area during the response.
The Crestview Police Department and Fire Department coordinated with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Bay County Bomb Squad, Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Eglin EOD, and Okaloosa County’s Director of Safe Schools in the response.
Using explosive detection dogs and specialized detection systems, authorities quickly determined there was no valid threat to the school. They safely concluded that no device was located on the property and that the message appeared to be a hoax.
Police said there was no danger to any of the children or staff at any time during the incident. The scene was released shortly after noon Tuesday.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional information may be released at a later date as more information becomes available.