Police in Fort Payne are saying the school-wide lockdown that occurred on Monday morning is due to a false alarm or hoax, stemming from a call in which someone claiming to be a student threatened harm to themselves and others.
The short-lived lockdown ended on Monday just after noon, with police and school officials stating that no threat had been found, and all students and staff were safe.
SEE: Fort Payne City Schools released from lockdown after reported ‘safety threat’
Later on Monday, Fort Payne Police chief David Davis released a statement saying that police responded to a call from a caller they believed to be a student at Fort Payne High School.
“At 10:57 am a call came into the Fort Payne Police Department believed to be a student from Fort Payne High School stating that he was armed and was going to harm himself and then made a statement he might cause harm to other students,” Davis said. “Fort Payne City Schools was immediately contacted and went into lockdown protocol. Fort Payne Police Department responded along with other surrounding agencies.
“Due to the statements made and not knowing the exact location of the caller, all schools in the district were thoroughly searched. No threat was located at any school. At this time, we believe it was a false alarm or hoax. The Fort Payne Police Department takes the safety of our students and staff very serious, and this incident will continue to be investigated.”
Fort Payne City Schools superintendent Brian Jett likewise released a statement praising the swift action of the school resource officers, law enforcement officers, first responders and school staff.
“While there are details we cannot release during the ongoing investigation, we will carefully review today’s events and our response,” Jett said. “We will continue evaluating our safety measures and making improvements whenever necessary.”
“There is no responsibility I take more seriously as superintendent than the safety of the students entrusted to our care. We remain committed to doing everything we can to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students and employees.”
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