A report about an active shooter at a Tennessee high school on Tuesday that prompted lockdowns and student evacuations appears to have been a “hoax,” according to local authorities.
Shortly before 8 a.m., dispatchers received a call coming from Volunteer High School where a person, who said they were a victim of bullying, claimed to be in a bathroom and wanted to carry out an attack with a handgun, Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said during a press conference. However, the ordeal, which involved armed deputies entering the school building, was nothing more than a ruse, he added.
“At this time, everything appears to be this call was a hoax,” Lawson said. “The Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Church Hill Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, are determined to find where this call originated from.”
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Moments after law enforcement entered the school, they said a suspect was not located and reported no injuries.
“The situation at Volunteer High School has been contained,” a statement from the Hawkins County School District read. “The students from VHS have been reunited with parents following standard safety protocols. We would like to thank all emergency personnel and staff that responded quickly to the emergency situation.”
Hawkins County School District officials revealed multiple schools between Surgoinsville and east Hawkins County went into lockdown. Lockdown orders were lifted for all institutions except Volunteer High School, where students were jetted out of the area to a local National Guard armory located in Mount Carmel.
The incident was initially described as an “emergency situation” with no further details at the time.
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“There has been an emergency situation at Volunteer High School. Out of an abundance of caution, all schools from Surgoinsville to East Hawkins County have been placed on lockdown,” the Hawkins County School District wrote. “Our major concern at this time is for the safety of our students and staff; please stay clear of the area to allow law enforcement and emergency personnel access to the area. VHS students are currently being evacuated to the National Guard Armory. More information will be forthcoming.”
Parents were instructed to remain in their cars and await “further instructions” when they arrive at the National Guard facility.
