UPDATE: School Lockdown Over
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HIGH POINT LOCKDOWN
HIGH POINT LOCKDOWN
WJHL
UPDATE (12/2/08, 11:38pm)—BY DARIUS RADZIUS, REPORTER, NEWSCHANNEL 11
Those children were locked into High Point Elementary School just outside of Bristol, Virginia when three men entered the school Tuesday. Luckily, every child got out safely.
At first, parents complained that they were being left in the dark about what’s going on. Some suggested the school needed more security to begin with. In the end, they were pleased everyone got their child out safely.
“Everybody is safe. Everybody’s safe. We have law enforcement in there. There’s no one else in the building that’s going to harm your child,” said Sheriff Fred Newman, Washington County, Virginia.
“Your children are safe and their in good hands right now,“ said Superintendent Alan Lee, Washington County Virginia Schools.
“Are you sure he’s still not in there?” asked a concerned parent.
“We’re positive,“ Sheriff Newman replied.
The Washington County Virginia sheriff and schools superintendant reassured the parents while inside, teachers were focused on the kids.
“The teachers were probably concentrating on reassuring the children that they are safe and are in no danger,“ said Lee.
Three men entered High Point Elementary School around noon Tuesday. One man entered twice. Each time, he was accompanied by a different man. Superintendant Alan Lee says they asked to use the phone.
“They weren’t letting them do that, but he was persistent in doing what he wanted to do,“ said Lee.
That’s when the principal alerted the teachers to go into lockdown mode.
“We’ve trained for this. This is the first time we’ve ever had to use this,“ said Lee.
The sheriff’s department responded to the call along with state police and other area law enforcement.
“One was in custody inside. The other fled the scene and he was taken into custody shortly afterward,“ said Newman.
Police hunted for the third man.
“We do have what we believe to be a white older model Chevy Caprice with one white male who was the driver who fled the scene,“ said Sheriff Newman.
Tammy Gillen came to pick up her daughter early from school to take her to a doctors appointment.
“When I came here I saw all of this,“ said Gillen.
Police would not let her in, did not tell her what is going on, and she couldn’t talk to her second grade daughter.
“I panicked. I cried. I called everyone i know,“ said Gillen.
Three hours later, parents and their kids left school relieved all are safe.
School officials say the three men never made any threats, they were just persistent. One was bleeding and believed to be carrying a knife. School and law enforcement say they’re pleased with everyone’s response and cooperation.
Tuesday night, the school superintendant went to the school board to ask for automatic locks for the front doors for all county schools.
The sheriff’s department continues to search for the lone man who got away. If you know who that man is or have any other information about today’s incident, the sheriff’s department wants to hear from you. Their telephone number is (276) 642-5600.
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UPDATE (12/2/08, 5:39pm)—THIRD STATEMENT FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT
Good evening,
The High Point Elementary staff and principal, Ms. Ann Cunningham, are to be commended for their professional and effective response to the intruder at their school. They acted quickly to secure their students in safe locations and to calm the worries of the children. Our community owes them a big thank you.
The members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Fred Newman Virginia State Police, and First Sergeant Mike Willis, who responded, too, were effective and quickly changed the atmosphere of worry to one of security. I thank all of those who came to help for their professionalism and competence.
Our children were amazing in how they reacted and cooperated. High Point’s teachers expressed their admiration for the student demeanor during the incident.
I would like to thank the parents whose cooperation permitted the law enforcement and school staff to do what was necessary to assure the safety of students and staff. Those who arrived at the school were patient and supportive, as were those who waited at home and at work.
High Point Elementary will be open for school tomorrow. Additional counseling staff will be present to talk with children who may be worried about being at school. School Resource Officers will be present, too.
Alan T. Lee
Superintendent
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UPDATE (12/2/08, 2:05pm)—SECOND STATEMENT FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT
The situation at High Point Elementary School is safe. All children and staff are accounted for. There are no injuries nor was there a threat to any of the children or adults by the intruder. Law enforcement continues to make certain that the perimeter of the school is secure. Students are leaving the gym going back to their classrooms. Teachers will be talking with their students. We will be releasing students at the normal time today. Parent pickup of students will be handled in the normal process.
We will transport students by bus as usual. Access to the school grounds is currently unavailable. If grounds are opened prior to normal dismissal, you will receive another e-mail.
Dr. Alan T. Lee, Division Superintendent
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UPDATE (12/2/08, 1:15pm)—STATEMENT FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT
High Point Elementary School had an intruder this afternoon that refused to leave the building. Principal Ann Cunningham instituted the emergency lockdown procedures. Law enforcement is on the scene making certain students and staff are safe. All staff and students are ok. Parents should not attempt to pick up their children as law enforcement has restricted all access to the grounds and the facility. I will release more information when it is available.
Dr. Alan T. Lee, Division Superintendent
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Parents want answers tonight after a Tri-Cities area school was placed on lockdown.
The lockdown happened around noon today when an intruder was reported at Washington County, Virginia’s High Point Elementary School.
For about three hours, no one was allowed in or out of the school.
Sheriff’s deputies swarmed the school searching it inside and out. They were looking for three men who entered the school around lunch-time. When the men refused to leave the principal alerted teachers to lock down.
Police caught two of the accused intruders, and parents were allowed to pick up their kids at around 3:00pm.
Tonight at 11, News Channel 11 will have a complete report of what happened and the changes the school already has in store to beef up security.
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Reader Reactions
Still nothing to whom this was or what really happened.
scrabbers, I couldn’t agree more…calling parents…IMPOSSIBLE….......I also understand as a parent being fearful for your childs safety..but lets think..by the grace of God the focus was getting those children out safely.. quit focusing on should of would of could of, and kiss your children and tell them that you love them..be thankful for the prinipal and those teachers….BUT demand the truth from DR LEE instead of the BS we normally get…Let him know , the the truth is the best policy, so we know that it’s okay too send out children too school, we are paying him and paying him well…
Concerned, I have a child at High Point and was terrified all afternoon because I didn’t know what was happening. I certainly didn’t expect or want a personal phone call from the school. I would much rather know the staff was keeping my child safe than making phone calls.
Do you honestly expect that school to call every single parent of every single child the second something goes wrong?
would you rather those employees spend time on the phone, or spend time protecting your children?
they had procedures in place to protect those children. they did what needed to be done.
No one will never know the truth if Alan Lee has anything too do with it!! He must protect his rep!! I am also this very thankful this incident turned out as it did…but as a parent of a child, whom attends a Washington Co School, I have found that this official is not one I feel comfortable in this position. After today, I more fearful than ever for the safety of our children… he speaks out both sides of his mouth…he says he is very concerned about the safety of our children and the quality of our childrens education, yet to push his power around he insist on making the desisions as too the transportation dept. such as if the buses should run on snow covered roads,instead of consulting with transportation supervisor; An incident approximently 3 years ago , a bomb threat was found wrote on the bathroom wall at EB Stanley, in the 8th grade bathrooms, the call was also made by Dr Lee too “hold off” on any evacuations…the threat was located at appr. 8:30am , the school was evacuated around 1pm, and too everyones amazement, Newscenter 5 was there and Dr Lee himself was there too shack hands…DR LEE WE ARE TIRED OF YOUR HANDSHAKES, YOUR LIES, AND PAYING YOU YOUR BIG SALARY…IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO GO BACK NORTH! YOU HAVE MADE PROMISES YOU HAVENT KEPT, OUR TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER, AND OUR CHILDREN DESERVE TOO BE SAFE, IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO SAY GOOD-BYE, AND I THINK MANY WOULD AGREE!
What bothers me is that the people who have kids that work at a near by place were not told what was happening. The information was not relayed to them as it would have needed to be. There were CHILDREN involved in this. Why were the parents themselves not called at work & told of the severity of the situation?? These people were told that a person was at the school would not leave. “A Person”. There were up to 3 suspects. These people had no clue as to what was transpiring at their children/s school. There is no need for panic; But what if it was YOUR child?!?!?!??????
The news needs to report on the situation & let the people know what’s going on. Also the Parents should have been notified that there was a problem. Yes, panic comes into play again, but what if my child would have been hurt in this?? Why didn’t the work place of the parents give more information as to what was going on??
Since this was a “Local” incident, shouldn’t it have been on the news to keep parents updated of what was going on? Why do we need to wait till the 5, 6, 10, 11 O’clock news to find out?
I bet if this was something that happened to a “High Profile” school it would be plastered all over the place. Luckily this wasn’t like VT or Colorado; These kids came out ok & no-one was hurt. Does it take children getting killed or a presidential election, or Brittany making a come back, or all the other crap that’s on the TV to be at the top the news?
The person that opened the door at Walmart in NY has more coverage than something like this that’s happened in our own town.
I bet they were a part of Alquida or the Taliban.
Maybe even from Pakistan and associated with the terroists that attacked Mumbai.
Hopefully they will catch them all.
I am also very grateful to the staff for keeping my child safe. However, accurate information must be given to the parents in order for them to feel safe about sending their children to school tomorrow. My son is afraid to go back because he thinks the man may come back. Please let us know if this was random or is their an association between these men and a child or staff member. How can we assure our children that they are safe when we ourselves do not know. As parents we have a responsibility to demand truthful and accurate answers. The school board and sheriffs dept. have a responsibility to supply those answers.
I am also a parent of High Point students. I would like to thank the staff of the school for the excellent job they did of keeping my children safe.
But, like others, I would like to know WHY the intruders came in to begin with. There are so many rumors flying around. I am so thankful everything turned out ok.
i AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL, I THINK US AS PARENTS DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND IF WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED SINCE THE THIRD SUSPECT HAS NOT BEEN CAPTURED
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