St. Cloud Schools: Football Match Confirmed After Threat Investigation

Harmony High School and St. Cloud High School confirmed their scheduled football game for Friday, October 23, after local law enforcement determined that reported shooting threats were false. The decision to play was made following a review of text messages and a tip that circulated among students. An expanded security detail was arranged to cover the event.

Osceola County Sheriff's Office officials stated that they first received a tip on Thursday night alleging a shooting would occur at the game. Text messages containing the same threat began spreading around the school on Friday morning. Deputies investigated both the initial report and the digital messages. Officials concluded that neither threat was genuine.

To ensure safety, the sheriff's office deployed additional deputies to the venue. K-9 units and mounted patrol officers were also assigned to the site. Officers from the St. Cloud Police Department joined the sheriff's deputies in providing security. These arrangements were announced alongside the confirmation that the game would take place in the evening.

Investigators found that the person responsible for the false threats claimed the threats were made by the teenager injured in a previous attack. Authorities examined this specific allegation and determined it was also false. The sheriff's office has not yet identified the individual who originated the threats. It remains unclear whether the person making the threats had any relationship with the injured student.

The background for the heightened security traces back to an incident on October 16 near Harmony High School. Several students allegedly attacked and beat a 17-year-old boy. The victim was transported to a hospital where he received 11 stitches. Officials linked the assault to a dispute that occurred during lunch earlier that same day.

According to the sheriff's office, the teenager had intervened when a group of students began throwing carrots at a girl during the lunch period. The beating took place after this interaction. Nine students were arrested on October 21 in connection with the assault. Their ages ranged from 14 to 18. They face charges of felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot.

OCSO Captain Kim Montes warned that the false reports could result in criminal prosecution. “False reports of a shooting will not be tolerated and if the suspect is identified, that person will be charged,” Montes said. As of Friday, the source of the threats remained unknown to investigators.