Broward County Public Schools confirmed that a person of interest was taken into custody on September 16, 2026 after bomb threats were directed at two schools in the county. The threats involved Pioneer Middle School in Cooper City and Larkdale Elementary School in Lauderhill, prompting an immediate response from local law‑enforcement agencies.
School officials issued warnings to students, faculty and staff at both locations as the threats were reported. The alerts instructed the school communities to remain vigilant while authorities assessed the situation. The district’s communication emphasized safety and cooperation with law‑enforcement partners.
A coordinated investigation was launched by the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Lauderhill Police. Together, the agencies gathered information, identified a person of interest and executed an arrest on the same day the threats were reported. The joint effort was described as a rapid response to protect the safety of the school environments.
Both Pioneer Middle School and Larkdale Elementary returned to normal operations after the arrests and the removal of the immediate threat. No explosives or hazardous devices were discovered at either campus, and there were no injuries reported. The schools continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to families and staff as needed.
The Broward County Public Schools district thanked the sheriff’s office, Lauderhill Police and other emergency responders for their swift action. The district reiterated its commitment to maintaining secure learning environments and encouraged ongoing cooperation with law‑enforcement agencies in any future incidents.
Authorities have not released further details about the suspect or the motive behind the threats. The investigation remains active, and officials indicated that additional information will be shared with the public as it becomes available.