Boca Ciega High students spend two hours locked in rooms after knife report

Students at Boca Ciega High School spent the morning of Monday, Nov. 2, confined to classrooms and hallways while police searched for three individuals described as wearing ski masks and carrying knives. The Gulfport Police Department placed the school, located at 924 58th St. S., on lockdown at 10:17 a.m. after receiving the initial report.

Officers from the Gulfport Police Department, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Pinellas County Schools Police, and the Indian Shores Police Department converged on the campus. Gulfport Fire Rescue also arrived on the scene to assist with the operation. The combined teams conducted a thorough sweep of the facility to locate the reported suspects.

By 12:22 p.m., school officials notified parents that the lockdown had been lifted. The district provided an update on the incident, confirming that the search of the campus was complete. Police stated that no injuries were reported during the two-hour period the school remained secured.

While no immediate threat remained on the grounds, police said a review of campus surveillance footage revealed at least one person matching the description of the masked individuals. The footage showed this individual leaving the school property. Detectives are currently investigating to identify the person seen on camera and determine their connection to the report.

The incident ended without a physical confrontation between the suspects and staff or students. The search concluded with the clearance of the building, allowing the school to resume normal operations after the midday announcement.