- February 6, 2025
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Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Damage at Horizon Elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Port Orange Police Department
Port Orange Police Department detectives have identified and interviewed three juveniles responsible for the recent vandalism of Horizon Elementary School, according to the Port Orange Police Department.
The juveniles, ages 12, 13, and 14, are current students at a middle school in Port Orange and all live near Horizon Elementary. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that the juveniles entered the school grounds on multiple occasions during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend and caused extensive damage to approximately 18 classrooms.
The damage included, but was not limited to, flooding, graffiti, carpet and tile flooring, cabinetry, furniture and computers. Volusia County Schools is currently in the process of estimating the cost of the damages and will also be handling any school related discipline. Due to the extent of the damage, the investigation is ongoing with felony burglary and felony vandalism charges pending.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, students from 11 of the 18 classrooms that were vandalized at Horizon Elementary returned to their rooms.
It will take a few more days to make repairs to the remaining seven rooms, according to Nancy Wait, Volusia County Schools community information services director.
"The vandalism at Horizon Elementary affected 18 classrooms, or about 360 students out of 800," Wait wrote in an email. "Those students have been relocated to other areas on campus for instruction while the damage is being repaired."
Wait noted that there is currently no cost estimate.
Port Orange Police Department detectives are investigating the incident, which occurred at 4751 Hidden Lake Drive.
The damage was discovered on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 16, by a school employee before teachers and students returned from the holiday weekend. POPD investigators and representatives of Volusia County Schools are working to determine the extent of the damage and process the scene for potential evidence.
During the Tuesday, Jan. 16, City Council meeting, Mayor Don Burnette called the incident "absolutely savage" and asked for the community to "pull together and see what we can do to help them."
Burnett said about a third of the classrooms were unusable and
windows had been broken.
On Tuesday morning, a school maintenance employee, Justin Rinowski, found that building 11 at the school had been smashed but not entered, according to an incident report. No surveillance video was located on the school grounds and there were no witnesses to the vandalism.
The Port Orange Police Department is requesting that anyone who has information related to this incident to call 506-5801.
Walmart gave food to staff and workers in addition to providing supplies and giftcards to Principal Gary Harms and teachers.
The Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce's education committee is also collecting school supplies to help faculty, staff and students.
Donations can be dropped off at 3431 S. Ridgewood Ave.
A second drop off location for donations is Realty Pros Assured, 1720 Dunlawton Ave., Suite 1.
