Due to a social media threat, East Garner Middle School implemented a Code Red lockdown on Friday.
Garner NC Police issued the following statement:
East Garner Magnet Middle School is under a code red lockdown, though students are safe. There was a threat made on social media and officers responded to the school. No one is allowed on campus right now until officials complete their investigation.
The school issued a message on its website before noon, stating that all students were secure but that no one could enter or exit the premises.
The message also requested cooperation from the community as they addressed the situation.
At approximately 1:20, the code red lockdown was lifted, and school officials confirmed that there had been no incidents of violence.
They advised parents not to come to the campus and to check the school website for further updates. A video showed police vehicles from the Garner Police Department stationed outside the school.
In a separate incident in Harnett County, a weapon was discovered at Erwin Elementary School on Friday, and police and school administrators collaborated to recover it. The school was not placed on lockdown.
Meanwhile, in Nash County, Southern Nash Middle School was briefly placed on lockdown but the lockdown was lifted soon after. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip on a school-based tip line indicating that there was a weapon on campus.
Deputies searched the school in collaboration with school staff, but no weapon was found.
These developments took place on Friday, two weeks after several Wake County schools, including Zebulon Magnet Middle School, East Millbrook Magnet Middle School, Broughton High School, Dillard Drive Middle School, Dillard Drive Elementary School, and Oberlin Magnet Middle School, were placed on lockdown.
This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.
