‘Shots fired’ near Coalton school reported
Lockdown lifted after police officers find ‘no threat’ inside
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COALTON -- Coalton Elementary School was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon due to a 911 call that stated shots had been fired close to the school.
At 2:16 p.m., a social media post on the Randolph County Schools Facebook page stated, "Coalton Elementary School was under a lockdown as a precaution from a concern in the community. Law enforcement has given the school the 'all clear.' All students and staff are safe."
Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon left Thursday afternoon's Randolph County Commission meeting after hearing the shots fired call on his police radio.
"Someone had called 911 and said they heard shots fired at the school and weren't sure what was going on," Elbon told The Inter-Mountain later. "We ended up learning that there was a pawn shop kind of a place across the hill from the school and they were testing out a new rifle. They didn't do anything wrong, they were in their lawful means of what they were doing, but it just echoed across the school and scared everybody."
Elbon said no firearm can be discharged within 500 feet of a dwelling or structure, and applauded the school's response to the incident.
"The school staff did fantastic, they locked the place down, went on a Code Red, notified the Board (of Education) office, and called 911," Elbon said. "My hats off to the employees at the school, they did the right thing."
Prior to the post, the situation could be followed via scanner traffic.
At 1:33 p.m., according to scanner traffic, 911 dispatch reported a call of "shots fired" near Coalton Elementary School. It was also reported that the school was "on lockdown."
At 1:41 p.m., it was reported that the school's principal's office is in the front of the school, and the principal could hear the sound of shots fired outside the school.
At 1:42 p.m., it was reported that a caller heard "six to eight rapid shots outside of the school," according to scanner traffic.
At 1:50 p.m., a police officer said, "There is no threat inside the school."
It was also reported on scanner traffic that a caller had heard shots close to Jimtown Road, and later that officers were investigating in the area close to the Jimtown/Pumpkintown Roads intersection.
At 2:02 p.m., an officer said, "I'm here at the school. Everything's good." The officer added that he would stay at the school in case parents came early to pick up students, and to "make sure everyone gets out alright. Any questions, I'll answer them."
The officer added that he believed the Randolph County Board of Education would send a phone call message to Coalton Elementary parents.