UPDATE: March 26 at 3:30 p.m.
The juvenile suspect in connection with the Jessamine County school "prank," as the Nicholasville Police Department reported, has been charged with second-degree terroristic threatening.
According to a release from the department, on Wednesday morning Jessamine County E911 received a call regarding a person "in possession of an AK-47 firearm."
The report noted that the call quickly ended but officials were able to identify that the call came from the campus of East Jessamine High School.
A lockdown was initiated after the Nicholasville Police School Resource Officer for the school was made aware of the call.
When officers arrived on the scene they "immediately entered the building and conducted a meticulous search of the premises." All students and staff were confirmed safe and no immediate danger was detected, according to the release.
Officials with the Nicholasville Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division obtained the phone number that was near the initial call and identified a suspect.
Police then found that the threat was not credible and "intended as a 'joke,'" the release read. The juvenile suspect was charged with second-degree terroristic threatening.
Further, leaders with Jessamine County Schools released a statement following the incident:
We are extremely grateful for our local officers of the NPD and Jessamine County Sheriff’s office for their immediate response today. While times like this are incredibly challenging, they also remind us of how fortunate we are to live in a community where school safety is top priority.
The release detailed that counseling services will be made available for students on Thursday.
"Please reach out to your school if your student needs support," the release read.
UPDATE: March 26 at 11 a.m.
The Nicholasville Police Department reported that the "potential threat" to the East Jessamine High School was not credible and a suspect is in custody.
The incident, police reported, has been "categorized as a 'prank.'" Police added that the response was due to a call regarding a person who was at the school with a firearm.
UPDATE: March 26 at 9:40 a.m.
The lockdown has been lifted for East Jessamine County High School, according to Jessamine County Schools.
UPDATE: March 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Jessamine County Schools reported that all schools are returning to normal activity, except East Jessamine County High School, as the Nicholasville Police Department continues to investigate a "potential threat" in the area.
Original Story:
According to Jessamine County Schools, the Nicholasville Police Department has requested that all schools in the district be placed on lockdown as police investigate a "potential threat."
The district added that at this time there is not an immediate threat and all schools are safe.
The Nicholasville Police Department stated, "There are no active threats nor injuries. Please remain patient as we address this matter."
This is a developing story and LEX 18 will have additional information as it becomes available.
