The Milledgeville Police Department (MPD) received a chilling call yesterday reporting an active shooter at Baldwin High School. The call was ultimately determined to be part of a national active-shooter hoax.
According to an NPR article, reports indicated 182 schools in 28 states received false calls about threats between Sept. 13 and Oct. 21. The article went on to emphasize these calls prompt law enforcement to ‘swarm’ the area, which can be dangerous since officers often enter with force and guns drawn.
“A call was received by the Milledgeville Police Department reporting an active shooter at Baldwin High School. The Milledgeville Police Department contacted the 911 Call Center where multiple units from all agencies were deployed,” states a post made on the MPD Facebook page.
“The emergency response was a joint effort among the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department (BCSO), Milledgeville Police Department, and the Georgia College Campus Police to ensure the safety of our students and employees.”
According to this post, a lockdown was initiated at Baldwin High School. When law enforcement arrived, they entered the building and did a search of the entire school. However, no threat was determined to be present.
“There were no indicators (shell casings, blood, etc..) found on the floor or driving forces (gunshots, screams, etc.) heard in the hallways. Having made contact with more units, two to four-man teams formed and a larger check of the building was continued. All doors found unlocked were checked and cleared,” read the report filed by officer J.D. Allen.
Shortly after the school was cleared, law enforcement on the scene was informed by MPD Chief Swicord that the incident had been confirmed to be part of a hoax.
Afterward, officers and deputies inside the school assisted MPD and BCSO units on the perimeter in speaking to parents and assuring everyone was safe.
“Thank you to all law-enforcement personnel for responding so quickly and ensuring our children were safe,” commented Sandra Witherspoon on the post. Another commenter, Michelle Ferron Fuppy, stated, “This is horrible! The police officers take this seriously and it’s not a joke!”
Similar to these commentators, Governor Brian Kemp released his own statement of displeasure on Twitter towards the hoax calls.
“Law enforcement across all levels immediately sprang into action. They did not hesitate to rush towards potential danger to protect our children,” Kemp posted. “Rest assured, for the criminals who orchestrated these hoaxes, we will go after them with every resource available.”
According to Kemp, the FBI is already actively working to investigate these acts of “domestic terrorism” and he assured the public that the culprits will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Read Gov. Kemp’s statement in full here.
