Critical incident training was put into use Wednesday by the staff at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School this morning after a report of an active shooter was received.
During an afternoon media conference at the school, Superintendent Chris Bentzel said the Hopkinsville Police Department and Christian County Sheriff’s Department responded to the school around 10:30 to investigate a report of an active shooter.
click to download audioA school resource officer was at the school when the threat was received and Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby said the second officer was on the scene in less than two minutes.
click to download audioChristian County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Smith said the exterior of the school was also searched.
click to download audioNewby praised the staff at MLK and said they followed their training and instincts to make sure the kids were kept safe and under control.
click to download audioBentzel said the school’s reunification plan was implemented with the nearby Christian County Ag Extension Office on Pembroke Road serving as the staging and pickup location for parents on Wednesday.
click to download audioNewby said police agencies will continue to investigate the threat, which was similar to one received at a school in Nashville around the same time.
click to download audioEvery school in the district was placed on high alert at mid-morning but returned to normal after police deemed the threat as unfounded.
