SEBASTIAN — A video showing a Sebastian River High School student with a fake “prop gun” on campus led authorities to put the school on a brief lockdown, sheriff’s officials said. Deputies later determined the video – posted to social media – was filmed in the school’s theatre class.
Sheriff’s officials gave an all-clear after about 30 minutes, authorities said.
“Our school resource team did exactly what they were trained to do,” Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a video update. “We’re following up with search warrants at (the student’s) house and will continue to investigate this to the fullest.”
Sebastian River High School was placed on a Code Red lockdown about noon after the video surfaced. A concerned parent of a student notified deputies after seeing the video on social media showing the student with the gun, Flowers said.
A school resource deputy shut down the campus, identified the 17-year-old student and located him for questions.
“The student told authorities it was a prop gun he had in the video,” Indian River County sheriff’s officials said. Sheriff’s officials said the student did not have the prop gun with him when he was found.
Deputies searched the campus as students and teachers were instructed to remain in the classrooms. The student explained the video to deputies and told them the prop gun was in the theatre department.
Deputies recovered the prop gun and confirmed it was fake.
“At no time was anyone in danger on campus,” sheriff’s officials said. “No arrests are expected to be made.”
School District spokesperson Cristen Maddux was not immediately available for comment.
“Parents are asked to not come to the school,” sheriff’s officials said. “Normal operations have resumed at the school.”
