Just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday, the Southern Pines Police Department and Southern Pines Fire Department responded to Moore Montessori School, located at 255 S. May Street, following reports of an active shooter at the school.
A school staff member inadvertently activated the initial alert through the school’s mobile application, said the Southern Pines Police Department in a press release. The notification was subsequently received by additional school staff members, resulting in multiple calls to the Southern Pines Police Department reporting a potential active shooter situation. School staff immediately took appropriate precautions by placing the school in lockdown. Out of an abundance of caution, officers with the Southern Pines Police Department responded to the campus and conducted a thorough search of the school to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
No threat was identified, and there was no active shooter or active threat present on the school campus. The incident was determined to be a false alarm. After the response, Southern Pines Police Department personnel debriefed the staff member who inadvertently initiated the notification, as well as individuals who contacted the police department to report the alert. These discussions were conducted to ensure the circumstances surrounding the notification were fully understood and to review the actions taken by everyone involved.
“Due to the significant law enforcement presence at the school, including numerous marked and unmarked police vehicles, the Southern Pines Police Department believes it is important to provide accurate information to the community and prevent rumors or misinformation regarding the incident,” said the police department in a press release. “Although this incident was determined to be a false alarm, it provides an opportunity for the Southern Pines Police Department and Moore Montessori School staff to participate in a collaborative after-action review. The purpose of this review will be to evaluate the response, identify any lessons learned, and ensure that established safety procedures continue to provide the highest level of protection for students and staff.”
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File photo by Melissa Schuab.
