Southern Middle School in Aberdeen was placed on a lockdown on Thursday at 9 a.m. due to a report of a person with a possible weapon. Within minutes, there was a heavy law enforcement presence on campus, securing the scene.
According to radio traffic, the police secured each classroom and each hallway. EMS attended to a couple of students who suffered from stress.
Police closed Magnolia Drive and Johnson Street during the incident.
Around 10 a.m., police cleared the scene and allowed parents into the bus parking lot, where students were individually called. Shortly after, nearby schools lifted their lockdowns.
Moore County Schools released the following statement to families.
“This morning, Southern Middle School received a call reporting a threat. In response, the school immediately followed established safety procedures and initiated a lockdown to help ensure the safety of all students and employees while law enforcement assessed the situation.
“The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Moore County Sheriff’s Department, Aberdeen Police Department, and Moore County Schools Police Department have since cleared the campus and determined it is safe for the school to return to its normal schedule. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased presence of law enforcement on campus for the remainder of the school day.
“Additional counseling support services will also be available for students and employees should anyone need assistance.
“Please be advised that student checkout procedures for the remainder of the day will take place from the bus parking lot. Parents should pull all the way forward, and a staff member will collect your child’s name, retrieve the student, and escort them to your vehicle. This process will take additional time, so we ask families with appointments or other planned activities this afternoon to build extra time into their schedules.
“We appreciate the patience and support of our parents and families during this time.”
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