WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Lake Region High in Winter Haven was on lockdown much of the day Thursday while investigators looked into reports of a possible weapon on campus.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office said the incident began with a fight between two groups of students on the campus around 7 a.m.
According to investigators, a second fight broke out a short time later.
"I think it was over racial tensions and everything. (The) day before that a few fights, but nothing big," said student Emma Roehiog.
Investigators said they arrested two males, ages 17 and 15 and charged them with misdemeanor battery.
According to investigators, soon after the fights ended a rumor of a possible gun in the school began to circulate.
School officials put the school on lockdown while deputies and school officials did a search for a gun.
"First they told us to leave all electronic devices on your desk, get your book bag in the back of the room," said student Sebastian Carbajal.
They said no weapon was found in the school.
Sheriff's officials said that acting on a tip they received they searched a student's car in the parking lot and found a machete.
They said that student is being charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds.
The lockdown was lifted at 2 p.m., officials said.
During the lockdown school district officials sent a recorded message to parents to alert them to the situation.
Several parents gathered outside to the school to wait for their children to be released and to try to get information from school officials.
"It terrifies you because you're expecting your kids to be safe," said parent Felisita Estrada.
Students were told not to bring backpacks to the campus Friday.
"I'm not coming because there's no point if I have to carry all my stuff around," said student Lisa Patterson.
WFTV
