Social media post proved to be hoax from Arkansas

BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — All Mingo County schools were on a precautionary lockdown Sept. 9, according to administration at the Board of Education.

Mingo County Sheriff’s Department (MCSD) Sgt. Chris Endicott, who is the school resource officer at Mingo Central High School, received a call around 8 a.m. Monday from a deputy in Boyd County, Kentucky. The deputy stated he had received information that an individual made a social media post about shooting several schools up and the post mentioned Mingo County.

As a precaution, all schools were automatically placed on a soft lockdown. Every available law enforcement officer went to the schools for additional security, including off-duty deputies.

After a joint investigation with additional agencies, including the Boyd County Sheriff’s Department and federal agents, it was determined that this was a spoofing incident that originated in Arkansas. It was part of a wave of similar hoax threats affecting multiple schools across various regions.

Mingo County Schools worked with other agencies on early school dismissal.

Buses were called back to the schools and students who ride the buses were dismissed first and one hour early. Then law enforcement facilitated parents picking up their children. High school students who drive themselves to school were escorted out to their vehicles by law enforcement.

Staff was then sent home once the students left the school buildings. All practices and sports contests were canceled.