Foley High School sends children home after teacher overhears talk of a gun, not a pistol

All students and staff at Foley High School are safe after the school was placed on lockdown on Thursday.

Foley police and the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office responded to the curfew Thursday morning, according to a statement from Foley High School Principal Jessica Webb.

“Foley High School was placed on lockdown this morning,” Webb said. Foley police responded jointly with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Department.

“The campus has been secured and all students are safe. Please do not attempt to approach the campus until we have removed the security perimeter. We will provide further information before noon.”

After the incident, the school began dismissing students at noon.

Following the dismissal, a press conference was held at the school to provide more information about the reasons for the closure. The conference was attended by Webb, Foley Police Chief Thurston Bullock and Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Eddie Collar.

According to several Facebook posts from concerned parents, a fight broke out in which a student pulled out a gun, but no shots were fired. However, Webb said there was neither a gun nor a fight.

“We have not confirmed a fight or a weapon,” Bullock said.

A teacher overheard a student mentioning a weapon during class changes and locked down the school. During the change, 1,600 students are allowed in the hallways.

“I don't want to say exactly what the teacher heard, but he felt like he heard something that had to do with a gun,” Webb said. “It was never the word gun. And it alarmed them enough that they pressed the lockdown button.”

Bullock stated that the preliminary investigation into the school has been completed and he believes the school is safe. He also said the department has not confirmed that there is a gun on campus or that a fight broke out. According to Bullock, one student was brought in for questioning.

The incident came after threats were made across Alabama in the week since the deadly Georgia school shooting, resulting in several arrests.

On Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was notified that a student at Clay-Chalkville High School was in possession of a handgun.

The school security officer quickly took possession of the weapon and the 16-year-old boy was taken into custody.