St. Cloud Football Plays Friday After Deputies Dismiss Shooting Rumors

High school football proceeds as scheduled Friday, Oct. 23, in St. Cloud, Florida, with a heavier police presence than usual. Families attending the Harmony High School versus St. Cloud High School game will see additional deputies, K-9 units and mounted patrol officers on site, along with officers from the St. Cloud Police Department.

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office reported receiving a tip Thursday night about a shooting planned for the game, followed by text messages carrying similar language at Harmony High School on Friday morning. Deputies investigated both the initial report and the circulating messages, and officials said neither threat was genuine.

The security posture follows an Oct. 16 incident near Harmony High School. Several students allegedly attacked and beat a 17-year-old, who was taken to a hospital and received 11 stitches. The sheriff's office linked the assault to an earlier lunchroom event where the teenager stood up to a group of students throwing carrots at a girl.

On Oct. 21, authorities arrested nine students, ages 14 to 18, on charges of felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot. Investigators later reviewed a claim that the injured student had originated the shooting threats and determined that claim was false.

The source of the threats remained unidentified as of Friday. OCSO Captain Kim Montes said anyone responsible could face charges. 'False reports of a shooting will not be tolerated and if the suspect is identified, that person will be charged,' Montes said.