MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A second social media threat was made toward Belleview Middle School and Belleview High School on Wednesday, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
[RELATED: Patrols increased as deputies investigate threat against Marion County schools | Officials: More than 1,000 students absent after mass shooting threat at Marion County schools]
Investigators said they believe a student’s account was hacked and a threat was made using that student’s name.
Deputies said they are trying to find the true source of the threat.
Parents and students should expect to see increased security at both schools until the situation is resolved, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
“Any written threat towards a school is considered a felony and Marion County Public Schools along with the MCSO have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to these situations and take these very seriously,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook.
A mother who was dropping off her son at Belleview Middle School told News 6 her son stayed home on Tuesday following the first threat.
“The first day it happened I didn’t let him go to school because stuff like this, you have to take it seriously,” she said.
Another parent said Wednesday she felt comfortable dropping off her daughter despite the recent threats.
“I feel like with all the extra security and everything, this is probably the safest days that they have,” she explained.
A threat was also made toward the schools on Monday.
More than 1,000 students were absent from both schools the following day.
A 9th-grade student was arrested in the incident.
He is charged with sending a written threat to kill, do bodily injury or, conduct a mass shooting.