UPDATE: Henry F. Moss Middle School campus safe after lockdown, sheriff’s office says

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Law enforcement responded for a lockdown on Friday morning at Henry F. Moss Middle School.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed the campus is safe.

Around 10:16 a.m., the school confirmed an active lockdown, and a heavy law enforcement presence was at the scene.

No one was allowed in or out of the building during the lockdown. Several parents were located outside of the school.

At 10:45 a.m., the Warren County Sheriff’s Office shared the following statement to Facebook and to X:

“This morning, the WCSO was made aware of a potential threat at Moss Middle School. The school was placed on lockdown and at this time, law enforcement has rendered the campus safe. We are currently following up on leads pertaining to the threat. More information will follow as soon as it is available.”

 

This morning, the WCSO was made aware of a potential threat at Moss Middle School. The school was placed on lockdown and at this time, law enforcement has rendered the campus safe. We are following up on leads pertaining to the threat. More will follow as soon as it is available.

— Warren Co. KY Sheriff (@WarrenCoSO) September 13, 2024

Warren County Public Schools has also sent the following message to families of students at WCPS:

“Dear WCPS Families,”

“The Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) district strives to be a community that is safe and nurturing for all of our students, faculty and staff. We also want to openly communicate with our families about safety issues when they arise.

“Due to a rumor of a student with a potential weapon at Moss Middle School this morning, several of our schools in the Warren Central feeder system went on temporary lockout or lockdown. Law enforcement was notified immediately, and the student under suspicion has been identified in a location that is off school campus; the student is currently being questioned by authorities. As a result, the lockout or lockdown orders have been lifted at all relevant schools.

“With recent national school safety incidents and out of an abundance of caution, the Bowling Green Police Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Office sent multiple units to investigate. As always, we are grateful for the collaborative work between local law enforcement agencies and our district leadership as we work each and every day to provide a safe environment for our students to learn and staff to work.

“Whether verbal, nonverbal, a text or on social media, we take every report or potential threat seriously. As always, if you see or hear anything concerning, please report it by either contacting an adult at your child’s school or by using the Kentucky Safe School Tipline: Call 866-393-6659 or the online form at https://safeschools.ky.gov/.

“Should you have any questions or concerns, you may contact your school principal or contact Warren County Public Schools at 270-781-5150.

“Respectfully, Rob Clayton, superintendent.”

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.

WCSO sheriff Brett Hightower arrived at the school and provided further comment, stating there is “no imminent threat to this school” and that “there was no threat to this campus today.”

He said the sheriff’s office takes “every single threat as seriously as you can imagine.”

Hightower stated that incorrect information being shared can also affect the situation negatively. He also stated there are multiple school resource officers at local campuses to provide security.

Hightower said multiple detectives are at the scene conducting interviews at this time.

Warren County Public Schools superintendent Rob Clayton also was present at Moss Middle to provide additional information.

“Ensuring the safety of students and staff is out top priority,” Clayton said.

While these types of threats may not be new, Clayton says the public’s response is, regarding rumors being shared before the district can get a statement released.

“We want to be quick and timely and will work closely with local law enforcement,” he said.

News 40 will continue to provide updates as more information is released.