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Student's Threat Shuts Down Polk CC Campuses

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By JENNIFER LEIGH

News Channel 8

Published: September 22, 2008

WINTER HAVEN -
Polk Community College shut down its two campuses today, fearing an armed gunman might be en route.

Law enforcement learned there was a credible threat that someone might bring a gun onto the Winter Haven campus and harm someone, Winter Haven police spokesman Brad Coleman said. He said the threats came from a 39-year-old student who works on campus.

TBO.com isn't publishing the man's name because he has not been charged with a crime.

According to Coleman:

The man was suspended at 9:44 a.m. today from his job and status as a student due to sexual harassment claims against him. Shortly after 11:15 a.m., the student's therapist contacted either the school or law enforcement to say the student claimed he was planning to go to the school to shoot the person who "lied about the sexual harassment" claim.

Police shut down the Winter Haven campus, and the community college's president decided to shut down the Lakeland campus as well for precautionary reasons.

Investigators found several addresses and vehicles connected to the student, and this afternoon, Zephyrhills police called Winter Haven police and said they took the man into custody under the Florida Mental Health Act, known as the Baker Act..

An investigation is ongoing. Under the Baker Act, a person can be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours.

The campuses are scheduled to reopen Tuesday.

Tribune reporter Josh Poltilove contributed to this report.

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