16-year-old arrested after threats put Harrison Central High on ‘soft’ lockdown

September 4, 2024

WXXV,

A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection to threatening phone calls made to Harrison Central High on Wednesday, causing the school to go into another lockdown.

Sheriff Matt Haley said the 16-year-old has been charged with two counts of making terroristic threats in connection with the incident.

The school was put on lockdown about 12:30 p.m. afternoon after receiving a threatening phone call threatening to “shoot up” the school. The lockdown was lifted about 1:45 p.m.

It was the second time in less than a week that the school received a threat. The school went on lockdown on Friday afternoon, shortly before school dismissal.

Investigators were able to locate and arrest the minor at his home. He was taken to the Harrison County Juvenile Detention Center and was being held without bond pending a juvenile detention hearing. The minor was not a student at HCHS.

The lockdown was activated as a precautionary measure. Harrison Central Sheriff’s Office is on scene and securing the campus, where more than 1,500 students are enrolled.

Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said the school was under a soft lockdown while deputies cleared the area and school. Soft lockdown means that school is continuing as normal, but nobody is allowed to exit or enter the campus or school.

A similar threat was reported at Kentwood High Magnet School. That lockdown, called a Code Kangaroo, has been cleared.