News Summary
Two schools in Spartanburg School District 7, Carver Middle School and Mary H Wright Elementary, were placed on a soft lockdown due to suspicious individuals nearby. Additionally, schools in District Five went into secure status when two people in camouflage were spotted. Law enforcement responded quickly and ensured safety, with lockdown lifted and police presence increased for reassurance. The events highlight the importance of school safety and community vigilance in Spartanburg.
Spartanburg – Two schools in Spartanburg School District 7, Carver Middle School and Mary H Wright Elementary School, were placed on lockdown during the morning on Monday due to the presence of suspicious individuals in the vicinity. The incident prompted a swift response from law enforcement, ultimately categorizing the lockdown as a “soft lockdown” which allowed for police presence without causing significant disruption to school activities. The lockdown status was lifted shortly before 12:30 p.m., and officials confirmed that all students and staff were safe throughout the event.
Within the same timeframe, two additional schools—Abner Creek Middle School and Abner Creek Academy—located in Spartanburg School District Five also entered a “secure status.” The secure status was instigated due to reports of two individuals wearing camouflage clothing and appearing to carry rifle bags. These suspicious individuals were identified near the tree line behind the school premises, raising safety concerns for the school communities.
A school resource officer (SRO) observing the individuals promptly notified local law enforcement. The Greer Police Department, along with a K-9 unit from Spartanburg County, conducted an extensive search of the wooded area behind the schools. Fortunately, the search did not reveal any persons matching the description of the suspicious individuals. The secure status for Abner Creek Middle School and Abner Creek Academy was lifted around 10 a.m., allowing classes to proceed as usual.
During the lockdown and secure status period, all external doors of the schools were locked. This action restricted entry and exit from the buildings, ensuring the safety of the students and staff inside. Parents of students were informed about the situation in real-time to keep them updated and to alleviate any concerns they may have had regarding their children’s safety.
In response to the incidents, Greer Police Department announced plans to increase police presence at the schools for the remainder of the day. This proactive measure aims to reassure parents and students that their safety remains a top priority and to deter any further suspicious activities in the area.
The incidents serve as a reminder of the ongoing focus on school safety in the Spartanburg community. While the events were promptly managed and concluded without incident, they highlight the necessity for vigilant monitoring and immediate response to ensure a secure learning environment for all students. Authorities encourage anyone with further information regarding the suspicious individuals or any related activities to contact the Greer Police Department at (864) 848-2151.
The proactive efforts of law enforcement and school officials in Spartanburg reflect a community dedicated to the safety and well-being of its children. Moving forward, both school districts continue to prioritize safety protocols that include regular communication with parents and increased security measures as necessary during contributing incidents.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Schools Locked Down Due to Law Enforcement Presence
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg
- WSPA: One Man Injured in Shooting That Locks Down Spartanburg Schools
- Google Search: Spartanburg safety incidents
- Fox Carolina: Secure Status Lifted at Two Schools
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg school safety
- WYFF4: Spartanburg Apartment Murder Prompts School Lockdowns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Post and Courier: SC Governor’s School Audit
- Google News: Spartanburg school lockdown
