Southern Middle School in Aberdeen was placed on lockdown Thursday at 9 a.m. due to a report of a person possibly armed with a gun. Within minutes, there was a heavy law enforcement presence on campus, securing the scene. Magnolia Drive and Johnson Street were closed during the incident.
According to radio traffic, the police secured each classroom and hallway. EMS responded to a couple of students who were experiencing stress.
Around 10 a.m., police cleared the campus after being unable to locate the threat and allowed parents into the bus parking lot, where students were called individually. Shortly after, nearby schools lifted their lockdowns.
“This morning, Southern Middle School received a call reporting a threat,” the school district said in part to Sandhills Sentinel. “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.”
The district said counseling and support services are available to students and employees who need assistance.
On Friday, the Aberdeen Police Department provided an update on its social media page.
“On May 21, 2026, just after 9:00 a.m., officers with the Aberdeen Police Department responded to Southern Middle School following a report of a possible armed individual on campus,” said the police department. “The report was received by Moore County Schools via a phone call, and law enforcement assistance was immediately requested.
“All available Aberdeen officers responded, along with support from neighboring agencies. Thorough primary and secondary searches of the entire school and all surrounding areas were conducted. No suspect was located, and no weapons or evidence indicating the presence of a weapon were found.
“Further investigation determined that there was no active threat to the school and the phone call was determined to be non-credible. The origin and nature of the initial call remain under investigation and persons of interest have been identified by Moore County Schools Police.”
Feature photo: A police officer closes a portion of Magnolia Drive in Aberdeen during a Southern Middle School lockdown/Sandhills Sentinel.
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