FORTVILLE — A social media threat led to three Mt. Vernon schools being placed on lockdown Friday afternoon.
Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation superintendent Jack Parker said in a statement a student reported seeing a threatening social media post late in the school day. Earlier Friday, Parker said in a voice message to parents that high school administration was notified a former student threatened violence with a gun.
Mt. Vernon High School, Mt. Vernon Middle School and Fortville Elementary School YMCA were placed on lockdown while police searched for suspects.
"Within five minutes, we had 10 officers on campus and within 30 minutes, we had approximately 33 officers from nine surrounding law enforcement offices including: Fortville Police, Indiana State Police, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Greenfield Police Department, McCordsville Police Department, Shirley Police Department, Indianapolis Metro Police Department and New Palestine Police Department," Parker said.
Students were released after the suspects were arrested off campus and the schools were determined to be safe, according to the statement.
Parker said student and staff safety is the school corporation's No. 1 priority, and the situation was a reminder of the importance of the saying, "if you see something, say something."
"Mt. Vernon takes every threat related to student safety seriously. The student who reported the threat should be commended for bringing this to the attention of school administrators," Parker said.
