Osceola Sheriff Adds K-9s to Harmony Football After Clearing Fake Threats

Football fans in Osceola County will see more dogs and horseback riders on the field this Friday. The game between Harmony High School and St. Cloud High School is still on for Oct. 23. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office added extra deputies, K-9 units, and mounted officers to the security plan. St. Cloud Police Department officers will also be present.

The extra security follows a week of tension near the schools. On Oct. 16, a group of students attacked a 17-year-old boy near Harmony High School. The victim went to the hospital and received 11 stitches. Officials said the beating happened after the student stood up to a group throwing carrots at a girl during lunch.

Arrests followed the attack. On Oct. 21, police charged nine students with felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot. The ages of the students ranged from 14 to 18. The arrests led to rumors of a shooting at the upcoming game.

The first report of a shooting came in on Thursday night. Deputies received a tip that someone would shoot at the football game. More messages appeared on Friday morning. Officials investigated both the tip and the texts. They determined neither threat was real. The sheriff's office also checked a claim that the injured teen started the rumors. Investigators found that false as well.

The source of the fake threats remains unknown. Captain Kim Montes said the office would not let the false reports slide. "False reports of a shooting will not be tolerated and if the suspect is identified, that person will be charged," Montes said.

The game is scheduled to start Friday evening. The expanded security detail will be in place for the event. No arrests have been made specifically for the false threat reports as of Friday.