LIBERTY COUNTY, FL – School superintendents and districts across Florida received a mass email threat this evening claiming that a bomb had been planted in a school and demanding ransom payment in cryptocurrency. The message did not identify any specific school or county.
According to Liberty County Superintendent of Schools Kyle Peddie, the threat is not currently believed to be credible, but local and state officials are taking all necessary precautions.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the Cyber Terrorism Task Force have been notified and are investigating the origin of the email.
Out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff Buddy Money Arnold, along with Liberty County deputies and school district staff, conducted sweeps of all local school campuses to confirm there were no threats present.
No suspicious items were located, and no active threats were found. Additional law enforcement personnel will remain on school campuses overnight and throughout the day tomorrow to ensure continued safety.
Superintendent Peddie emphasized that the safety of students, staff, and parents remains the district’s top priority.
