NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – Parents and students in New Port Richey faced a tense morning on Thursday as three local campuses were forced into a controlled campus status following a reported threat. The security measure affected Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Marchman Technical College, and Cypress Elementary School—the latter of which is currently operating out of the Calusa Elementary campus.
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office immediately deployed additional law enforcement to the area to secure the perimeters and conduct a sweep of the buildings.
For several hours, movement within the schools was restricted while deputies worked to verify the validity of the threat. After a thorough investigation of all affected campuses, the Sheriff’s Office officially determined the threat to be unfounded.
“There is no threat to Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Marchman Technical College, and Cypress Elementary School,” the agency confirmed in a statement, noting that normal operations were allowed to resume shortly after the sites were cleared.
While the immediate danger has been ruled out, the investigation isn’t over.
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is now shifting its focus to identifying the source of what they are calling a hoax threat. Local authorities have not yet released details regarding the specific nature of the original report or potential leads on the caller’s identity.
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