Crime & Safety
Teen Charged After Threat Prompts Lockdown At Central High
The Tuscaloosa Police Department has charged a 15-year-old in connection a threat that prompted a systemwide lockdown Monday.
TUSCALOOSA, AL — A 15-year-old high school student has been charged with rendering a false alarm after a report of an active shooter at Central High School prompted a systemwide lockdown of Tuscaloosa City Schools on Monday.
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The Tuscaloosa Police Department says 911 dispatchers received one phone call claiming there was an active shooter situation at Central High School at 12:05 p.m. The caller reportedly hung up and didn’t answer multiple callbacks in an attempt to gather more information and corroborate the report.
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As a result of the call, Central High School was immediately placed on lockdown. TPD said the school resource officer and another officer who was already on scene began to search for any active threats and found none.
By the time the "All Clear" had been given, nearly 30 officers, investigators and Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley responded to the school and determined the threat was unfounded.
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The systemwide lockdown would be lifted at 1 p.m., with the teen suspect taken into custody less than an hour later by investigators with the department’s Youth Aid division.
TPD says the suspect was interviewed and charged with two misdemeanors late Monday afternoon. The student, who is a minor and has not been publicly identified, is currently detained at the Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court hearing.
“TPD treats these situations very seriously, and we will track down the source of any false reports regarding our schools,” Blankley said. “A claim like the one made today doesn’t just disrupt the school day. It’s frightening for the students and staff who are forced to go on lockdown, for their parents and the community.”
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