NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — Two Newton High School students are in custody, and at least one is facing criminal charges after threats Thursday morning prompted a lockdown and early dismissal, officials said.
A Newton County Schools spokesperson said it all started when the fire alarm was pulled. In an update, the spokesperson said a 16-year-old boy has been charged with pulling the fire alarm. He faces reckless conduct, disorderly conduct and transmitting a false report of a fire charges.
All students and staff were evacuated from the building as officials were called to the school for a possible threat to the campus.
They did not initially say what kind of threat prompted the lockdown but did say threats were "made to harm the students and staff at Newton High."
The Newton County Sheriff's Office responded to the school, and all students and staff remained evacuated, according to the district spokesperson.
Deputies found "no active threat" during the search. Once the all-clear was given, students and staff reentered the building. Officials said the campus remained in a "preventative lockdown" for the rest of the day.
At around 10:40 a.m., the district said the lockdown had been lifted but added that students were sent home at noon.
"Nothing is more important than the safety and security of the school’s students and staff, and we are taking these threats very seriously," a sheriff's office spokesperson said.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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