Osceola Sheriff Adds K-9s to Harmony Football After Clearing False Threats

The football game between Harmony High School and St. Cloud High School is scheduled to take place Friday night, October 23, despite reports of shooting threats. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office confirmed the event will proceed with an expanded security detail. Additional deputies will join K-9 units and mounted patrol officers at the venue. Personnel from the St. Cloud Police Department will also be on site to assist with crowd control and perimeter checks.

Officials stated they received an initial tip about a planned shooting on Thursday night. Text messages containing the same threat began circulating around Harmony High School on Friday morning. Deputies investigated both the verbal report and the digital messages. The agency determined neither threat was genuine. The sheriff's office said it had not identified the origin of the threats as of Friday.

Investigators noted that the person responsible for the false alerts claimed the threats were tied to a teenager injured in a previous attack. Authorities examined that specific allegation and found it to be false. No relationship between the threat's source and the injured student has been established. Captain Kim Montes of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office indicated that criminal charges are possible for the false reports. She stated that the suspect will be charged if identified.

The security measures follow an incident that occurred on October 16 near Harmony High School. Several students allegedly attacked a 17-year-old. The victim was transported to a hospital and received 11 stitches. Officials linked the assault to a dispute that began during lunch that day. The teenager had stood up to a group of students who were throwing carrots at another girl. The beating took place after the lunch period concluded.

Nine students were arrested on October 21 in connection with the October 16 attack. Their ages range from 14 to 18. The charges filed against them include felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot. The arrests prompted the subsequent circulation of the false shooting threats. The expanded police presence aims to manage any potential tension at the Friday evening game.

The sheriff's office released its findings on Friday to confirm the game's status. The department emphasized that the security plan includes both canine units and horse-mounted officers. This combination is intended to cover the stadium grounds and surrounding parking areas. The St. Cloud Police Department will coordinate with county deputies throughout the event. The game remains on the schedule for Friday night.