Palmetto bomb hoax

Students reacted with caution and doubt in response to a bomb scare on Friday, March 10. Two female students discovered envelopes in the 600s restroom containing sticky notes which proposed killing black individuals and vowing to bomb the school at noon during second lunch.

“Somebody left an anonymous note in the bathroom and we investigated it because your safety is our primary concern,” Principal Victoria Dobbs said.

Almost immediately, the restroom was closed off with a security guard posted in front of it. Police officers came to Palmetto to investigate the threat, which was ultimately found not credible.

“[The threats] were disgusting,” senior Blake Benson said. “I can’t make any assumptions that someone created them just to be provocative or actually meant what they were writing, but threatening any of my fellow students and friends is completely abhorrent and wrong.”

At noon, Dobbs released an email to teachers and a robocall to parents explaining the situation and stating that the issue was under investigation while those present at school were safe and security was on added alert for sake of caution. The school day would continue as usual.