Daytona police say students orchestrated gun prank at high school, may be expelled

Police in Daytona, Florida issued a statement on Monday detailing a prank pulled by some high school students that authorities say has been blown out of proportion by social media rumors and misinformation.

“There are a lot of rumors, conspiracy theories and lies floating around on social media about Friday’s events,” the Daytona Police posted on Facebook. “Please do not re-share posts containing unverified information, and if you or your kid(s) have information about this, or any threat, please call us directly instead of only posting it on social media. We cannot locate every single post online and this only delays our response and investigation.”

The police say a group of students at Mainland High School coordinated a “cruel prank” that created an unnecessary panic the day after threatening graffiti was found scrawled on a bathroom stall at the school.

Amid the tension resulting from the graffiti, some students planned to make staff and students believe there was a gun in the school cafeteria by setting themselves up in strategic positions.

A group of girls approached a staff member and told them there was a gun in the school, and at that time one of the girls signaled to a male student positioned at a door, who then ran out of the building, prompting other students to follow suit.

“We have identified everyone involved and have interviewed nearly all of them, and so far, when presented with the video (which clearly shows the area and everyone’s movements), no one has been able to point out the guy on the table, a gun, or the moment the shots would have been fired,” police said.

Authorities have pending charges against those involved for making a false report of a crime involving a firearm, and police will be recommending expulsion for the students who took part.