A testing coordinator at Harns Marsh Middle School who was filling in as an eighth-grade teacher Wednesday played an integral role in preventing a potential school shooting.
Laura Davis, who has been teaching in Florida for 24 years, was covering the Lehigh Acres classroom because of shortages caused by COVID-19.
Davis said about 20 minutes before the end of the class she saw a student walking toward his backpack and a few students leave their seats quickly.
It is against school rules for students to get their backpack during class, Davis said.
She told all students to take their seats and asked what was going on. She heard some students talking about school shootings and other kids laughing saying it was a joke.
Davis reported the incident to the administration immediately and Lee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation.
Deputies arrested two boys, 13 and 14, Thursday in connection to the incident. After mental health exams, they are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a mass shooting.
