OCSO releases statement on Windermere High lockdown

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has released a statement on the Windermere High lockdown that mentions a text message as the source of Wednesday's incident.

According to OCSO Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte – a spokeswoman for the sheriff's department – the school went on lockdown at 11:36 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, after a parent was forwarded a text message claiming there were individuals in one of the school's restrooms and hallways in possession of guns.

"There are guys in the bathrooms and hallways with guns in Windermere High School. We are afraid help, please call 911 now," the text message read.

 The parent then reported the text message to local law enforcement.

"As patrol units arrived at the school, they coordinated with the assigned School Resource Officer and other responding units to check every bathroom and hallway in the school for a possible suspect," the release stated. "A large coordinated effort with FHP, SRO, K-9, Orange County Fire/Rescue, road patrol, Ocoee (Police Department), Winter Garden (Police Department) and Windermere (Police Department) ensued where several contact teams entered and cleared the school grounds."

According to Tejada-Monforte, nothing suspicious was found on the campus Orange County Public Schools received all the all clear to dismiss the students. The lockdown was lifted at 2:15p.m. Students were released to parents at 2:45 p.m.

The school resource officer and school administration will continue to investigate Wednesday's incident.