Apollo High School received a phone call containing a bomb threat Thursday afternoon. Students and staff were quickly evacuated but returned to the building less than an hour later after no devices were found during a search.
According to district Public Information Officer Lora Wimsatt, families received immediate notification when the school was evacuated and again when students were returned to the building. A more detailed message was communicated from AHS Principal Rick Lasley at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Lasley said in his message that Apollo was evacuated at approximately 1 p.m., and students were allowed to return to the building at approximately 1:45 p.m.
The Daviess County Public Schools Police Department took the lead on investigating the incident, receiving assistance from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. The two organizations, along with district and school administrators, conducted the search.
In his message, Lasley noted “some important things our families and students need to know.” In part, the message reads:
The safety and security of our students and staff is our highest priority.
Terroristic threatening – which includes making statements by any means, including electronic communications, for the purpose of causing evacuation of a school building, school property or school-related activity; causing cancellation of classes or school activities; or creating fear of serious bodily harm among students, parents or school personnel, is a FELONY.
The Daviess County Public Schools district will pursue immediate legal charges for felony terroristic threatening to the absolute fullest extent of the law against anyone who makes such threats. We will advocate to our highest ability that the prosecution of these individuals be swift and their punishment be severe. More information is posted on our district website at www.dcps.org or go directly to that page https://www.daviesskyschools.org/News/terroristicthreateningconsequences#sthash.kQUYRSHS.dpbs
Parents and guardians – Please speak to your child about the serious consequences of engaging in these behaviors. Anyone with information regarding this situation or any area of concern should share that information with law enforcement or a school administrator, or submit anonymous reports through this website: https://homelandsecurity.ky.gov/SafeSchools/Pages/default.aspx
It is important that we all work together to ensure the safety and security of our students and schools and to ensure a safe and appropriate learning environment for all. Thank you for your support, cooperation and partnership. Please contact me with any concerns, questions or information.
This marks the third bomb threat at a local high school in the last two days. Owensboro High School received threats both Wednesday and Thursday. Both threats at OHS were found to not be credible after investigations by the Owensboro Police Department.
It’s unclear if any of the threats are related at the time.
