Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-K9 Unit
-School Resource Officer Unit
-Community Policing Unit
-Flight Unit

East Lake Fire Rescue

Pinellas County Schools

What:
Deputies conducted an investigation after receiving a call regarding a suspicious backpack. 

When:
Deputies received the information at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017.

Where:
The call occurred at East Lake High School located at 1300 Silver Eagle Drive and East Lake Middle School located at 1200 Silver Eagle Drive both in Tarpon Springs.

Why/How:
At about 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017,  911 dispatch received a call regarding a suspicious backpack in a school library. The caller initially advised that the backpack was seen at Tarpon Springs High School library, but then changed the location to East Lake High School library.

At about 10:20 a.m., the Pinellas County School officials decided to evacuate both the East Lake High School and East Lake Middle School as a precautionary measure, while an investigation could be conducted.

While deputies conducted a search of the schools, students were escorted off-campus by school officials. East Lake Fire Rescue was present and assisted by providing water to the students while they waited.

Deputies were able to conduct a search of both school campuses and a suspicious backpack was not located. At about 12:49 p.m., students were allowed to reenter both schools.

There have been no arrests made on this case.

The investigation continues.