McCracken County High School was placed under an internal lockdown for nearly two hours on Friday afternoon following a threatening phone call, according to school district officials. The situation was resolved without incident, and all students and staff were confirmed to be safe before a controlled dismissal began.
The McCracken County Sheriff's Office and school district police responded to the campus, conducting a thorough search of the building. Detectives are now actively investigating the source of the threat.
Key Takeaways
- McCracken County High School initiated an internal lockdown around 2 p.m. Friday after receiving a threatening phone call.
- The McCracken County Sheriff's Office and school district police secured the campus.
- The building was declared safe at approximately 2:35 p.m., leading to a phased dismissal.
- An investigation into the origin of the phone call is currently underway.
Lockdown Initiated After Direct Threat
The school day at McCracken County High School took a serious turn at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday. The front office staff received a phone call that contained a potential threat, prompting the school's administration to take immediate action.
Without delay, the campus was placed under an internal lockdown. This procedure keeps students and staff secured within their classrooms while allowing law enforcement to manage the situation and assess any potential danger outside the rooms.
The lockdown protocol was initiated to ensure the safety of everyone on campus while authorities investigated the credibility of the threat.
Rapid Law Enforcement Response
Within minutes of the lockdown being announced, units from the McCracken County Sheriff's Office and the McCracken County School District Police arrived on the scene. The officers established a perimeter and began a systematic sweep of the school building and surrounding campus.
Their primary objective was to verify that there was no immediate danger to students or faculty. The coordinated effort between the two agencies allowed for a quick and efficient search of the large high school campus.
Timeline of Events
- ~2:00 PM: MCHS front office receives a threatening phone call.
- Immediately after: School administration initiates an internal lockdown.
- ~2:35 PM: Law enforcement declares the building and campus safe after a thorough search.
- Post-2:35 PM: A controlled and phased dismissal of students begins.
By approximately 2:35 p.m., law enforcement officials had completed their search and deemed the building safe, giving the all-clear to school administrators.
A Cautious and Safe Dismissal
Once the campus was secured, school officials began a carefully managed dismissal process. The administration prioritized getting students who rely on bus transportation home first.
Students were escorted in small, organized groups to their buses under the supervision of school staff and School Resource Officers (SROs). This methodical approach was designed to prevent congestion and maintain a secure environment as the school day concluded.
After the buses departed, all other students were dismissed. The entire process was handled with a focus on caution and order.
District Emphasizes Student Safety
In a statement released following the incident, McCracken County Public Schools (MCPS) reassured the community that the safety of students and staff remains their highest priority. The district also expressed gratitude for the community's cooperation during the tense situation.
"Our number one priority is always the safety and well being of students and staff. We appreciate your grace and patience as we cautiously navigated the situation and safe dismissal of our students and staff."
The communication from the district aimed to provide clear information to concerned parents and guardians while law enforcement and school officials worked to resolve the situation on the ground.
Investigation into Threat's Origin is Ongoing
With the immediate situation resolved and students safely dismissed, the focus has now shifted to a criminal investigation. Detectives with the McCracken County Sheriff's Office are leading the effort to identify the source of the threatening phone call.
Authorities have not released details about the nature of the threat or any potential leads. The investigation is considered active and ongoing. Tracing the origin of such calls can be a complex process, but it is a critical step in holding the responsible party accountable and preventing future incidents.