Four Warrick County schools were on 'precautionary lockout' after Snapchat threat

Update:

NEWBURGH, Ind. — The lockout at four Warrick County schools was lifted after about five and a half hours.

The schools were on lockout from the start of school Monday until about 1 p.m., according to Warrick County School Corp. Superintendent Brad Schneider.

Warrick County Sheriff’s office has concluded their investigation, according to officials. Deputies found the anonymous threat posted this morning is “not a viable threat” to Warrick County schools, Schneider said.

“The (Snapchat) threat originated outside our jurisdiction,” he said. “It was shared with a Warrick County student and that’s how we became involved in it.”

The threat never specifically mentions Castle.

The threat, Schneider said, stated: “Both middle schools north and south. I will be attempting to kill at least 60 people tomorrow. So be ready.”

While it never specified Castle, Schneider said when you have Castle North and Castle South middle schools that’s what they acted upon.

The Warrick County Sheriff’s Department will continue to work with FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Schneider said law enforcement will “do their very best to find where this threat originated.”

Earlier:

Four Warrick County School Corp. schools are currently on a "precautionary lockout" after a threat was made on Snapchat against Castle South and Castle North middle schools.

Warrick Superintendent Brad Schneider said those schools are Castle South and Castle North middle schools, Castle High School and the Warrick Education Center.

"We had a social media threat on Snapchat this morning threatening a school shooting at Castle South and Castle North middle schools," Schneider said. "Castle High School was not included in that threat, nor was the Warrick Education Center. Just simply the fact that those schools are on that (Highway) 261 corridor, they went on a precautionary lockout as well."

Schneider said there is "no evidence" this was a credible threat.

"But until we can determine that, we're going to take every precaution and treat it as a legitimate threat," he said.

Warrick County Sheriff's Department is "aggressively pursuing" the origin of the threat, Schneider said, trying to track down the sender.

"I know they're making progress, but as of yet they have not been able to identify that person," Schneider said.

"We have an increased police presence at all those schools, along with additional Warrick County schools will all see increased law enforcement today.

Warrick County uses "very specific terminology," Schneider said. A lockout is different than a lockdown, he explained, because under a lockout, the day runs as normal.

"We have instructional time, we carry on our business as a regular day. But all the doors are locked. So any parent or visitor must be let into the building and they only have access to the office. We keep all students inside under a lockout. No students are allowed outside."

A lockdown, Schneider said, is when lights are turned off, all doors are locked, kids are hiding because we may have an intruder in the building.

Schneider received a call this morning around 6:30 a.m., and buses were already en route to pick up children.

The schools will be on a lockout "as long as is required."

"We understand the environment right now with schools," Schneider said. "While we appreciate everyone taking every precaution the most important thing is that we not panic, that everyone stays calm. Schools and law enforcement have plans in place and we need to allow them to do their jobs. ... We're going to take every precaution that we need to to keep our kids safe."