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Polk Campuses Shut By Student's Threat

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By JENNIFER LEIGH

News Channel 8

Published: September 23, 2008

WINTER HAVEN - Polk Community College shut down its two campuses Monday, fearing a 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.

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

Coleman said the man was suspended at 9:44 a.m. Monday from his job and status as a student because of 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 said 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, Coleman said, and the community college's president decided to shut down the Lakeland campus as well as a precaution.

Zephyrhills police called Winter Haven police Monday afternoon, Coleman said, to notify them that they had taken 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 today.

Tribune reporter Josh Poltilove contributed to this report.

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