An accidental mobile-app alert prompted a lockdown and substantial emergency response at Moore Montessori School in Southern Pines Monday afternoon.
Southern Pines police and firefighters responded to the school on South May Street shortly before 12:30 p.m. after receiving calls concerning a possible active shooter.
Staff Member Accidentally Activated Alert
According to the Southern Pines Police Department, a school employee inadvertently activated the initial notification through the school’s mobile application.
Other employees received the alert and contacted police. School personnel immediately placed the campus in lockdown while officers responded.
Police conducted a thorough search as a precaution. Officers found no active shooter, weapon or other threat at the school. The incident was subsequently classified as a false alarm.
No injuries were reported, and officials said the students and employees were safe.
Police Explain Large Emergency Response
Southern Pines police released information about the incident because the response brought numerous marked and unmarked police vehicles to the campus. Officials said they wanted to provide accurate information and prevent rumors or misinformation from spreading.
Police personnel later spoke with the employee who activated the notification and with the people who called authorities after receiving it. Those discussions reviewed what occurred and the actions taken during the response.
After-Action Review Planned
Police and Moore Montessori School staff plan to conduct an after-action review. The review will examine the response, identify lessons and consider whether any emergency procedures should be adjusted.
Although the alert was accidental, officers treated the notification as a potential emergency until they could search the campus and confirm that no danger was present.
Families are encouraged to rely on official information from their school and law-enforcement agencies when alerts or emergency responses occur.
Source: Sandhills Sentinel, based on information released by the Southern Pines Police Department.
