Football game proceeds after sheriff clears threats

The football game between Harmony High School and St. Cloud High School will take place on Friday night, Oct. 23, with more law enforcement officers on hand. This follows an investigation by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office into threats of a shooting at the game, which were found to be false. The threats came after nine students were arrested in connection with an attack on another teen near the high school.

The sheriff's office said that the game remained scheduled for Friday evening after an expanded police presence was announced. The additional security included K-9s, mounted patrol officers, and deputies from the St. Cloud Police Department.

The threats originated from a tip received by the sheriff's office Thursday night, which claimed that a shooting would take place at the football game. The same claim appeared on text messages that began circulating around the school Friday morning. Deputies investigated both the tip and the text messages and determined that neither threat was genuine.

Authorities said that the person responsible for the threats had attributed them to the student injured in the attack. Investigators examined that claim and found it to be false. As of Friday, the source of the threats remained unknown.

The attack occurred Oct. 16 near Harmony High School, according to the sheriff's office. Several students allegedly attacked and beat a 17-year-old, who was taken to a hospital and received 11 stitches. Authorities linked the assault to an incident during lunch earlier that day. The sheriff's office said the teenager had stood up to a group of students who were throwing carrots at a girl during lunch. Officials said the beating took place afterward. Nine students, ranging in age from 14 to 18, were arrested Oct. 21 on charges of felony aggravated battery and felony inciting a riot.