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Kate Becker

School security staff guard barriers blocking off the 100 building during the investigation. Parkland BSO were inside the building investigating the suspicious substance sent to the school.

After Assistant Principal Jay Milmed made an announcement over the intercom about a “situation” on campus, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was put on a hold on Friday, Dec. 2 at 12:02 p.m.

A few minutes later, in an email from administration, the origin of the code was identified as “an abundance of caution over a suspicious substance.” They did not specify the substance or give any other information.

B Lunch at MSD starts at 12:27 p.m.; as the drill continued into this time, students were not released for lunch.

At 12:28 p.m. parents and guardians of MSD were sent an email providing more detail.

“This afternoon we received a letter with a suspicious substance contained in the contents of the envelope,” Milmed said in the email. “We have closed the administration building/front office/guidance and the second floor of the 100 building. At this time, we cannot allow any parents to come pickup or drop off any students while the Coral Springs Fire Department is on scene investigating the substance.”

At 12:34 p.m., Milmed made another announcement over the intercom.

“Teachers and students at this time we are going to lift the hold for those students who have B lunch. You may be in the courtyard area, art courtyard and cafeteria only to eat,” Milmed said. “If you have a class in the 100 building during eighth period, you will report to the auditorium.”

Students in the 100 building without B lunch were evacuated to the auditorium.

When the Eagle Eye staff members attempted to take pictures of the situation, security told them that “today is not a good day to take pictures of security, return to class.” However, staff were later able to take pictures of the situation.

The Parkland Broward Sheriff Office and the Coral Springs Parkland Fire Department reported to the scene to inspect the “white powder” substance in the envelope as told by an anonymous source. While this occurred, barricades surrounding the front office, guidance, student services and second floor of the 100 building were set up to isolate the building from students.

A makeshift student services table was set up for students who were already signed out of class needing a pass to leave and other students who needed help for other affairs.

At the end of B lunch, approximately 1:02 p.m., all students including those in the auditorium from the 100 building were let to class. Those who have a class in the 100 building during eighth period were told to report to the auditorium.

Later, at around 2:30 p.m., another announcement was made over the intercom that all after-school activities are cancelled. The Multicultural show hosted by the Spanish Club in the auditorium at 7:00 p.m. was confirmed to not be among that statement by theatre tech.

The Eagle Eye will give updates as the story progresses.