08/10/2026
What an awful way to begin the new school year. Thank you to all of the local law enforcement agencies as well as the teachers and school staff for doing their best to keep our kids safe.
This morning, Bay County experienced a series of bomb threats directed at two of our local high schools, resulting in significant law enforcement responses and disruptions on the first day of school.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., Bay County Emergency Communications received a call from an anonymous individual making a bomb threat directed at Rutherford High School. Multiple units from multiple agencies immediately responded, and established safety protocols were put into place.
While units were on scene at approximately 9:00 a.m., another anonymous call was received making a bomb threat directed at Mosley High School. Additional law enforcement resources responded, and the same protocols our agencies have trained extensively for were immediately activated.
Both schools were thoroughly searched and ultimately cleared. At no point did law enforcement treat these threats as anything other than serious. Our responsibility is to assume every threat is credible until we can establish otherwise.
At this time, these incidents are believed to be the result of swatting, the intentional use of false emergency reports to trigger a large-scale law enforcement response. Investigators are actively working with the FBI and our federal law enforcement partners to identify those responsible.
We want to thank our partners who responded quickly and professionally, including:
• Tyndall Security Force's K-9 Unit
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Lynn Haven Police Department
• Springfield Police Department
• Panama City Police Department
• Our other local, state, and federal partners
Their swift response and coordination helped bring these incidents to a safe resolution.
A stern warning to whoever is responsible:
This is not a joke. This is not a prank. Making false bomb threats against schools ties up critical emergency resources, disrupts thousands of students and families, and forces law enforcement officers to respond as though an actual threat exists.
Those responsible should understand that anonymous does not mean untraceable. We will work with our federal partners to identify those responsible, and we will pursue appropriate criminal charges.
Our students, teachers, staff, and families deserve to start the school year in a safe environment. We will continue to take every threat seriously, respond appropriately, and hold accountable anyone who intentionally threatens the safety of our schools and community.
We are thankful that both schools were cleared safely. We are even more thankful for the men and women who responded without hesitation to protect our students.