LAURINBURG —North Laurinburg Elementary School was temporarily placed on lockdown this morning after a teacher heard what she thought sounded like a gunshot.
School officials said there were no issues at the school, but wanted to ‘err on the side of caution.”
Meredith Bounds, public information officer for Scotland County Schools, said after the incident was reported, the school went on lockdown and law enforcement was contacted.
“After thoroughly investigating the situation and after having no other reports come in from the area, law enforcement gave the ‘all clear’, the lockdown was lifted, and students and staff resumed the school day,” Bounds said.
Earlier this week, I. Ellis Johnson Elementary also had a similar situation.
A resident reported the sound of gunshots in the area and alerted police.
According to Bounds, authorities determined that the sound of gunshots may have come from a police department training exercises that were being held at the department’s firing range several miles away.
The ‘all clear’ was given in that situation as well.
“Thankfully both times were a false alarm and our students and staff were not in any danger,” Bounds said “Understandably, with the tragic event that happened in that neighborhood the previous weekend, the community is on edge.
“However, with the safety of our students and staff at the forefront of any decision that we make, we will always err the side of caution. We are so appreciative for the vigilance of citizens and staff and we encourage anyone at any time to report to administration or law enforcement concerns or suspicious activity that may put our schools in harm’s way.”