LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After Jeffersontown High School was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports that someone entered the school with a gun, officials confirmed there was no shooting and all students are safe.
What You Need To Know
- Jeffersontown High School in Louisville was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon
- Officials confirmed that a former student entered the school with what appeared to be a gun, but not gunshots or injuries were reported
- Police evacuated the school and all students are safe
- The former student is now in custody
LMPD responded to a call at 12:30 p.m. to assist Jeffersontown Police, where they received a report of a former student unlawfully accessing the building. There were reports that he had a gun, but officials said that's unconfirmed at this time.
Police on the scene confirmed there was no active shooter and no shots fired as they began clearing the building of all occupants.
We've been providing information to families all afternoon about the situation at @JtownHS. Here's our update for the community. There was no shooting at @JtownHS. All students are safe. We're finalizing the dismissal plan & will continue to be in communication with families.
— JCPS (@JCPSKY) September 23, 2021
JCPS confirmed later in the afternoon that there was no shooting and all students were safe following the incident. Jeffersontown High School will have a crisis team on site to support students, JCPS officials said.
LMPD Chief Erika Shields confirmed in a separate media briefing that someone had entered the school with a gun, but no injuries or gunshots were reported.
Schools in the surrounding area were placed on high alert following the report. Tully Elementary, about a half mile down the road, sent out the following message to parents.
"All students are safe, but our building is currently operating on heightened security. We will provide updates as soon as possible."
Tully Elementary is key to the high school's modified dismissal plan. Shortly after 3 p.m., JCPS representative Jennifer Brislin provided the following dismissal update:
All students are now on the football field & dismissal is starting. The first run of buses will go from the football stadium. After that, car riders & walkers will be shuttled to Tully Elementary. They can be picked up or walk home from there. The second run of buses will go from the football stadium.
JCPS asked for patience with the logistics of the school's delayed dismissal and praised staff members who "did everything right."
"We know the climate we're in right now and our staff responded appropriately," they said.