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A DCPS spokesperson said the schools are on lockout Friday morning out of an abundance of caution.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A number of schools in Jacksonville’s Southside were placed under lockout on Friday morning after a Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) representative reported that a minor made a threatening call to Southside Middle School, saying they intended to initiate a shooting.
According to a communication sent to parents by DCPS, Englewood Elementary and High School, Greenfield Elementary School, and Southside Middle School went into lockout status as a precautionary measure after the threatening call was received by Southside Middle School.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s officers were called to these schools to assist DCPS Police on scene, a JSO spokesperson said.
A spokesperson from DCPS explained that the lockout was initiated out of an abundance of caution. During the lockout, students were permitted to move between school buildings on the premises, but they were restricted from entering or exiting the school grounds.
DCPS said Friday afternoon that the schools dismissed for the day. Here’s their full message to parents:
“Hello, this is Duval County Public Schools. We are calling to inform you that several schools are on lockout this morning due to a report of a threat. The lockout is in place at Englewood high school and Englewood elementary school, Greenfield Elementary, and Southside Middle School. JSO has received a phone call from a juvenile threatening to conduct a shooting at Southside Middle School. While these schools are on lockout, students will be accepted into school buildings, and a strong police presence is in place at the schools and in the surrounding area.
Repeating: We are calling to inform you that several schools are on lockout this morning due to a report of a threat. The lockout is in place at Englewood high school and elementary school, Greenfield Elementary, and Southside Middle School. JSO has received a phone call from a juvenile threatening to conduct a shooting at Southside Middle School. While these schools are on lockout, students will be accepted into school buildings, and a strong police presence is in place at the schools and in the surrounding area.”
