New Port Richey Schools Reopen After Teen Shot Nearby

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Richey Elementary School, Gulf Middle School and Gulf High School resumed full operations Wednesday morning following a brief "controlled campus status" lockdown during a shooting investigation blocks away. The incident unfolded around 9 a.m. near Louisiana Avenue and Colonial Drive, close to Gulf Middle School, prompting the precautionary measure out of caution for student safety.[1] New Port Richey Police confirmed a teenage girl was transported to a local hospital in stable condition after being shot. Two individuals are in custody, and investigators described the event as isolated, with all parties knowing each other and no ongoing threat to the public or schools involved. Deputy Chief of Police provided initial details via social media, echoed by Pasco County Sheriff's Office updates.[1] The lockdown restricted campus access but allowed classes to continue indoors, a protocol common in Pasco County amid rising concerns over gun violence near educational sites. None of the schools were directly connected to the shooting, and operations normalized swiftly once the scene was secured. Police withheld the victim's identity, injury extent and motive details as the probe continues.[1] This marks the latest in a string of Florida incidents testing school safety measures, though local officials emphasized the rapid response minimized disruption in the tight-knit New Port Richey community of about 16,000 residents.