Jeff Matthews

jmatthews@thetowntalk.com, (318) 487-6380

Buckeye schools were briefly locked down late Thursday afternoon when a window was shot out at Buckeye Elementary, possibly by a nearby hunter.

A teacher reported what sounded like a window breaking at about 4:55 p.m. The School Resource Officer responded to the room, saw a window had a small hole in it and located the projectile that did it. A lockdown was initiated, then lifted soon after.

From the initial investigation, it appears that the projectile may have been a ricochet from someone hunting in a field across the highway. At this time, deputies do not believe this was an intentional act.

"The procedures the school board has in place and the response of our deputy were appropriate in this situation as we always want to act on the side of caution," said Lt. Tommy Carnline, RPSO public information officer. "We will continue to look into this incident and attempt to determine where of this projectile came from. Each year,several residences are hit by falling projectiles when hunting season starts. We caution everyone to follow the rules of hunter safety and one of those rules is knowing what is beyond your target. If anyone has any information about this incident, please call the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office at 318-473-6700."