Crime & Safety

Venice High School Lockdown Lifted After Reported Gun Threat: Police

The high school was placed on lockdown while Venice police and school resource officers investigated a gun threat on campus.

VENICE, FL — A lockdown at Venice High School was lifted Thursday morning after police investigated a reported threat involving a gun and determined it wasn’t credible, Venice police said in a social media post.

Venice police assisted school resource officers at the high school in responding to the reported threat.

Police didn’t share any additional details about the nature of the threat or whether any students were involved.

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The department urged families to talk with their children about firearm safety.

“Parents, guardians and caregivers, please take a moment to talk with your children about firearm safety,” police wrote in the post. “If you keep firearms at home, store them securely and make sure your children know to leave a firearm alone and tell a trusted adult if they find one. Remind them that firearms, airsoft guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, and realistic prop guns should never be brought to school.”

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Authorities also reminded the public that knowingly and unlawfully possessing a firearm on school property is generally a third-degree felony under Florida law, police said. Meanwhile, threats to kill or injure someone or carry out a mass shooting can carry second-degree felony charges.

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