Bomb and Shooting Threats Prompt Heavy Police Response at Holmes Beach Resort

HOLMES BEACH, Fla. — Police responded to two bomb threats and a mass shooting threat at the White Sands Beach Resort on Friday, Nov. 21, leading to road closures, traffic delays, and an extensive safety sweep of the area.

According to the Holmes Beach Police Department, the first threat was reported Friday morning, followed by a second between 4 and 5 p.m. The caller also claimed a shooting would occur and provided specific details about the property.

Officers searched the resort grounds in both instances and found no explosives or weapons. No shooting occurred, and no injuries were reported. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office bomb-detection dog was brought in during the second response to ensure no explosive devices were buried on the property.

Police temporarily stopped traffic near the resort after the caller stated he would arrive in a silver truck and harm people. Officers positioned in the area were prepared for the possibility of an explosive device or an active shooter until they determined there was no immediate danger.

Investigators believe the caller may have been familiar with the resort’s layout, possibly through publicly available livestream footage. Holmes Beach Police say they are working to identify the suspect and noted that a similar threat was made in North Carolina the same day.

As of Saturday afternoon, no suspect had been located. The department will meet with federal partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to pursue additional leads.

Police emphasized that while the threats caused significant disruption, there is no indication of ongoing danger to the public.