Threat at Dunnellon Middle School

Deputy Fowler of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office stands by as he looks for other threats after the report of an active shooter at Dunnellon Middle School in Dunnellon, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

Dunnellon Middle School has been cleared and no threat was identified at the school as of 6 p.m., according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement responded to a potential threat at the school Friday afternoon, which turned out to not be credible, according to MCSO.

Law enforcement continued to search the school until about 5:40 p.m.

A source with knowledge of the circumstances said that someone threatened to show up with a firearm and shoot in the school, but that no shooter was seen.

Students are now being released to families. MCSO previously asked the public to avoid the area as they worked to ensure that there was no threat to the school.

The school was in a code red lockdown due to the potential threat on the campus. No injuries were reported to students or staff, according to Marion County Public Schools spokesperson Kevin Christian.

Dunnellon Elementary School and Dunnellon High School were also placed under a code yellow lockdown as a precaution, Christian said.