Prank-triggered armed-threat call brings heavy police response at Lake Nona Middle School in Orange County

What happened and why police responded

A large law enforcement presence surrounded Lake Nona Middle School on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, after emergency dispatchers received a call that was initially categorized as a possible armed threat or assault near the campus. Multiple patrol vehicles were seen outside the school along Narcoossee Road as officers moved to assess and secure the area.

Authorities later determined the incident stemmed from a prank rather than an actual threat. Police said no armed person was located and no injuries were reported.

How the response unfolded

The call for service was associated with the 13700 block of Narcoossee Road, in the immediate area of the school. Officers conducted a search consistent with procedures used for reports involving a potentially armed individual, prioritizing containment, rapid assessment and verification of whether a threat exists.

In these situations, agencies typically respond at a scale designed to protect students and staff while quickly determining whether a report is credible. Even when the call proves unfounded, the approach is shaped by the consequences of delay if a threat were real.

What is confirmed—and what remains unknown

Police have not released details about what, specifically, constituted the prank, nor have they publicly identified who was involved. Officials also have not announced whether any arrests or criminal charges are expected.

• Confirmed: The initial report was treated as a possible armed threat or assault near the school.

• Confirmed: A significant police presence responded and searched the area/campus.

• Confirmed: Authorities later determined it was a prank; no armed person was found; no injuries were reported.

• Not confirmed publicly: The prank’s method, who initiated the call, and any disciplinary or criminal consequences.

Why false reports around schools carry high stakes

False threats can disrupt classes, alarm families and divert police resources from other emergencies. They also create operational challenges for schools, which must balance speed, transparency and student safety while information is still being verified.

In school-related threat responses, law enforcement generally treats early information as incomplete and potentially unreliable, then escalates or de-escalates based on what officers can confirm on scene.

What parents and families can expect next

In the aftermath of a hoax or prank call, follow-up commonly includes reviewing 911 and dispatch records, identifying the caller when possible, and coordinating with school administrators on any student discipline. Authorities may also increase patrol visibility near a campus temporarily to reassure the community, depending on the circumstances and any ongoing investigative steps.