MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A phoned in threat to 911 put Horizon Academy on Marion Oaks Drive on immediate lockdown around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday for the students and teachers’ protection. Worried parents lined the streets leading up to the school hoping to hear what was going on inside.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded in full force to the middle school in response to the threat of an active shooter. Armed deputies swarmed the school from the ground while a helicopter provided aerial support.

MCSO responded in full force around 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday in response to a phoned threat to 911. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
MCSO deputies set up a perimeter around Horizon Academy and worked to calm concerned parents while deputies searched the campus. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
Concerned parents stand behind police tape waiting for news of what’s happening inside Horizon Academy. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
Concerned parents join in prayer outside the school while they wait for updates from law enforcement. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
A concerned parent makes a call while waiting for information. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
MCSO did not find any security threat on campus. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
Car line at Horizon Academy as parents begin to pick up their children from the school after it was placed on lockdown. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
MCSO deputies gave the ‘all clear’ at Horizon Academy after a several hours long lockdown. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today

“Law enforcement responded en masse, in big force… as we hope and pray they always will and we appreciate that they do,” said Kevin Christian, Marion County Public Schools spokesperson.

Christian confirmed at the scene that deputies conducted a very thorough search and did not locate any threat to the safety of students and staff. They gave the ‘all clear’ several hours after the initial lockdown.

“They searched pretty much everybody on campus to make sure who was here was supposed to be here,” said Christian. “We realize this is a big inconvenience for the community. But we’d rather err on the side of caution with safety in mind, every time.”

Deputies determined the threat was a hoax. Christian said they believe a student from the school actually make the false call.

They say they are continuing the investigation into who placed the call. No injuries to students or staff were reported.

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