The report of an armed party at a Covington elementary school, which prompted lockdowns and a law enforcement response, was a prank, the superintendent said.
“We will be making another example out of someone when we find the culprit,” Tipton County Director of Schools Dr. John Combs tweeted after the schools were secured. “Not funny.”
Late Wednesday morning Covington Police placed Crestview Elementary School on lockdown after receiving a report that a possible armed party there. Tipton County Schools placed Crestview Middle, which shares a parking lot with the elementary school, on lockdown as well.
Covington police officers and Tipton County deputies responded to the schools after the call.
“No active shooter has been located at either school,” said Covington Police Chief Donna Turner.
Law enforcement and district officials are investigating.
“I can’t say this enough – we have the best law enforcement team in the state,” Combs said. “Amazing response time!”
The initial call was received by Lauderdale County E911 Dispatch. The chief called it a “hang up call” through which someone reported threat of someone being armed. The Department of Homeland Security is assisting in determining the call’s origin.
Covington High School was not placed on lockdown Wednesday, but the school was locked down after a similar report on social media last month.
Not funny one bit