Fort Walton Beach High School was temporarily locked down Friday after reports of a suspicious person on campus, with the individual being quickly detained by authorities, school officials said.
- No weapons were found during the incident, and no shots were fired. The suspicious person is now in custody, according to school district officials. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
The Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office has charged a 16-year-old Mary Esther teen with trespassing after warning. The teen had been told he was not to return to school grounds at Fort Walton Beach High School today but was seen around 11:20 a.m. walking through the parking lot and detained, according to the OCSO.
“We are incredibly grateful for the immediate and professional response from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa School District Office of Safe Schools, and the staff at Fort Walton Beach High School,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Their swift actions were instrumental in protecting the safety of our students and staff, which remains our top priority.”
District officials noted that during the incident, misinformation spread on social media platforms caused unnecessary confusion and concern. They emphasized the importance of relying on verified information from the district and law enforcement agencies during emergencies.
Students and staff were commended for their quick response to the lockdown protocols.
- “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community remains our highest priority, and we sincerely appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support,” the school district wrote in a press release.
No additional details on the suspect have been released at this time.
