Dade County schools locked down after library shooting threat

A person called 911 in Dade County on Monday and threatened to carry out a mass shooting at the Dade County Public Library, sending deputies into the streets and putting every county school on lockdown.

What happened: The caller threatened a mass shooting at the public library, prompting deputies to flood the area around the town square. While officers searched the area, the caller kept talking to dispatchers and claimed to be watching the officers move around.

• Deputies searched businesses, churches, and other buildings throughout the area.
• Businesses near the town square were asked to lock their doors while the search was underway.
• No armed person was found.

What’s new: Investigators determined the caller was using an internet-based phone service to make the threats. The Sheriff’s Office said it is working to identify the person and will pursue criminal charges.

What this means for you: Every Dade County school was placed on lockdown Monday as a precaution, even though no direct threat was made against any school. Sheriff Ray Cross sent extra deputies to each school and kept them there until students were dismissed for the day.

“The safety of our community, our schools, and every citizen of Dade County will always be our highest priority. We will never take a threat of this magnitude lightly. Our deputies responded immediately, and we took every precaution necessary to protect the public. We intend to do everything within our authority to identify the person responsible and hold them accountable,” Cross said.

The path forward: The Sheriff’s Office said it will continue working to identify the caller and pursue all applicable criminal charges.