FORT PAYNE — Police say Monday’s districtwide lockdown at Fort Payne City Schools followed a threatening call from someone believed to be a Fort Payne High School student.
Fort Payne Police Chief David Davis said the department received the call at 10:57 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10.
According to Davis, the caller claimed to be armed and threatened to harm himself. The caller then suggested he might harm other students.
Police immediately contacted the school district, which activated its lockdown procedures.
Officers Searched Every District School
Authorities did not know the caller’s exact location. Because of that uncertainty, officers thoroughly searched every school in the district.
Meanwhile, students and employees remained secured as law enforcement checked each campus.
Officers found no threat at any school. Afterward, the district lifted the lockdown and reported that all students and employees were safe. Schools resumed normal operations Monday after authorities completed the searches.
“At this time, we believe it was a false alarm or hoax,” Davis said.
However, police have not closed the case. Davis said the department will continue investigating the incident.
Multiple Agencies Assisted
Several surrounding agencies assisted Fort Payne police during the districtwide response.
Those agencies included the Mentone Police Department, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Scottsboro Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency management personnel and DeKalb Ambulance Service also responded. In addition, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the FBI Gadsden Resident Agency assisted.
Davis thanked every responding agency. He also said the department takes the safety of students and school employees seriously.
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Fort Payne City Schools Locked Down Following Reported Safety Threat
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