Sheriff To Post Extra Deputies At Middle School Tuesday After Threat

LAND O' LAKES, FL — The Pasco County Sheriff's Office will have additional deputies at the campus of Charles S. Rushe Middle School Tuesday following a social media threat Friday.

According to the sheriff's office, evidence indicates an original social media post was altered without the knowledge of the original poster to make it appear it was a threat. A student who perpetrated the threat has been identified and faces charges for altering a video and creating the hoax threat are being referred to the state attorney’s office.

Although there is no threat at the middle school at 18654 Mentmore Blvd., Land O' Lakes, the sheriff said there will be an increased presence at the school Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution."

The sheriff again urges parents and guardians to discuss the consequences of making fake threats with their students.

Tips regarding threats can be reported by calling the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or online at PascoSheriff.com/tips.