Today, a random turn of events kept local schools and law enforcement on edge. Not only was a national Facebook rumor of an impending school shooting today throwing gas on the fire, but two local schools were put on alert, one actually going into lock down for a gun scare.
Officials told us attendance was low today as one turn of events after another kept schools prepared for anything.
“I think all those things boiled together created a perfect storm,” says Todd Bloomquist of the Medford School District.
Today, law enforcement remained on high alert– an international internet rumor that someone would bring a gun to school spurning concern.
“That old telephone game you used to play, that is exactly true. You heard it from so-and-so and then the story changes a little bit,” says Bloomquist of the rumor.
He also says today attendance was down …about 20% for Medford’s secondary schools from the normal 90-95% – the internet hoax, fear of the end of the world , weather, and simply the impending holiday keeping kids from school. “All the factors that go into somebody not being here, there’s a lot of variables,” he says.
To top it off, Eagle Point Middle School ended up in lock down around noon today.
“We had a community member who was driving around the community, who noticed down by the park that there was a person walking with what appeared to be a gun,” says EPMS Principal Joni Parsons.
Luckily, the person only had a pellet gun. She tells us, “We were in lock down for about 15 minutes.”
Within an hour of Eagle Point’s incident, Kennedy Elementary in Medford was put on alert — students asked to stay inside as a burglary in progress sent the suspects onto the grounds.
“They also went through the campus of Kennedy Elementary, the edge of the campus. We had an officer watching them,” Lt. Mike Budreau of the Medford Police Department says.
The alleged burglars caught at a nearby apartment complex. Law enforcement was ready – afraid the two were armed.
“I think there’s a lot of things rolled up into this unfortunate time,” remarks Bloomquist.
Schools and police on pins and needles throughout a hectic, yet safe day.
We were told some parents did remove children from Eagle Point Middle School for the day as a result of the lock down. However, no harm came to anyone at either school during today’s incidents.
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