Parrish Community High gets bomb threat

UPDATED at 1:30 p.m. to add students were allowed back inside classrooms.

PARRISH, Fla. (WWSB) - A bomb threat against Parrish Community High School Tuesday morning prompted an hourslong evacuation, school officials said.

“As a result of the bomb threat this morning, School Administrators are performing a safe evacuation of school buildings and sending students to a safe and open portion of the campus while the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office performs a sweep of our campus,” an email to parents said.

A video provided to ABC7 shows students sitting in the football stadium bleachers. The school had planned to bus students from Parrish to the Manatee County Fairgrounds for parent pickup, but those plans were later canceled.

Students were eventually allowed back in their classrooms; the school day ended normally, on time. “We apologize for the changes in plans throughout the day, but every action has been taken in the interest of student and staff safety,” parents were told in an email.

In a letter to parents and families, school officials said the anonymous threat was received on the school’s FortifyFL app. “As always, the school will be working with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and district security on responding to this anonymous threat,” the notice said.

This comes on the heels of a threat Feb. 6 and two recent previous lockdowns caused by medical emergencies at the school, sparking rumor and chaos among students and guardians.

The entire text of the message:

Parents and Families,

An anonymous bomb threat was posted on the FortifyFL app this morning involving Parrish Community High. As always, the school will be working with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and district security on responding to this anonymous threat. In doing so, they will follow all proper procedures and protocols related to bomb threats.

Please do not come to the campus at this time as law enforcement will need the time and space to investigate. We will update you on what is taking place.

Please warn your students that anyone involved in making threats against schools will be subject to serious criminal and school district consequences. Thank you.

The school will be holding a press conference at 3:30 p.m.

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