On the first full day of the new school year, students were evacuated from Volunteer High School in Tennessee following an "emergency situation" that drew a heavy police presence and triggered lockdowns at multiple school buildings, in what turned out to be a hoax.
The Hawkins County Sheriff's Office says it received a call just before 8 a.m. Tuesday about an active shooter inside the high school. Deputies responded and immediately began searching the school.
"At this time, a suspect has not been located and no injuries have been reported," police said in a statement issued at 10:45 a.m.
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In a follow-up press conference with news media, Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson said the call came from someone claiming to be a student with a gun inside the school. The caller said he had been bullied and was about to start shooting students. It has not yet been determined where the call came from, but Lawson said this was a hoax. Local, state and federal agencies are now trying to determine who placed the call.
Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, with heavily armed officers clearing the school building. Students were placed on buses and evacuated to the Mount Carmel National Guard Armory. Parents were asked to avoid the school and instead go to the armory to be reunited with their children.
All schools in Hawkins County, from Surgoinsville to East Hawkins County, were initially placed on lockdown as a precaution. Those lockdowns have since been lifted.
Officials said two people were taken from the scene by ambulance with injuries unrelated to gunshots.
Tuesday was the first full day of the new school year for students in Hawkins County. Classes at Volunteer High School have been canceled for the rest of the day but are expected to resume as normal on Wednesday.
Residents in the area were asked not to call 911 or police unless they had an emergency. Officials wanted to keep the lines clear.
Church Hill Police Chief Chad Mosley said the incident tied up many resources and caused trauma and stress for everyone involved.