MHS faces second bomb threat in one week, third in two months

Palm Coast Observer

Matanzas High School faced its second bomb threat in a week on Thursday, Feb. 2. This is the third bomb threat in two months.

The caller first specified an off-campus threat to Matanzas High School's administration, before calling Flagler County Sheriff's Office at 10 a.m. stating he had planted multiple bombs at MHS, according to press releases from Flagler Schools and FCSO.

Public Information Officer Ava Hanner said the all-clear was given at 11:10 a.m. and the caller is believed to be same caller from the previous bomb threat.

While the number is different from the Jan. 25 call, the voice and "other similarities" lead deputies to believe it is the same person, the FCSO press release said.

FCSO began investigating immediately. Deputies and the Explosive Ordinance Detection K-9 Nitro performed a sweep alongside the school's security team while students were secured, the FCSO press release said.

Nothing suspicious was found and no further information is available at this time.

The prank phone calls are extremely frustrating to our administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students, the Flagler Schools press release said, causing disruption and taking a mental toll on many, even if the threat turns out to be "not credible."

"Threats of these nature are not only scary for students and their families, but they also disrupt the learning of our youth and are dangerous to first responders and the public when driving to a false emergency,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We will do everything we can to identify the person behind these threats as we continue the investigation."

The previous bomb threat at MHS, made on Jan. 25, originated from a California phone number associated with false "swatting" calls across the country, FCSO said in a press release about that incident.

The caller's identity is still unknown. Anyone with information is asked to call FCSO at 386-313-4911, email FCSO at [email protected], or call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).

This story has been updated with new information.