MIDDLESBORO, Ky. (LEX 18) — UPDATE: April 2 at 2:30 p.m.
According to a post on social media, the soft lockdown at Middlesboro Independent Schools has been lifted following the apprehension of a suspect involved in a morning shooting at a nearby KFC.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Jamie Johnson released the following statement:
I want to provide you with an important update regarding the situation at Middlesboro Independent Schools. The suspect involved in this morning’s incident near our local KFC has been apprehended, and there is no ongoing threat to our school community.
As a result, the soft lockdown has been lifted, and normal school operations have resumed. All students and staff remain safe, and we continue to work closely with the Middlesboro Police Department to ensure the ongoing security of our schools.
The safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority. We take every precaution to protect our school community and will continue to maintain strong safety protocols.
I appreciate your patience, cooperation, and trust as we navigated this situation.
Sincerely,
--
Dr. Jamie Johnson
Interim Superintendent
Middlesboro Independent Schools
Original Story:
Middlesboro ARH Hospital and Middlesboro Independent Schools are on lockdown while police continue to investigate a shooting that occurred at a nearby KFC, The Big ONE 106.3 FM WRIL reports.
According to The Big ONE, just after 9:30 a.m., police responded to a reported shooting that took place in the parking lot of the Kentucky Fried Chicken located at the intersection of Highway 25E and Cumberland Avenue.
The station reports that the vehicle was unoccupied and the damage on the vehicle was "consistent with a shotgun discharge."
Superintendent Dr. Jamie Johnson told The Big ONE that schools are on a soft lockdown and entry protocols are in place for all schools.