Multiple school districts were placed on lockdown in Berrien County on Thursday.
Lakeshore Public Schools said on social media it placed its buildings on lockdown due to “an external threat reported in the vicinity.” After about a half hour, the district said the lockdown had been lifted and classes resumed, but outdoor activities were moved inside. After working with police, the district later said all buildings were cleared and things are back to normal.
Lakeshore says it’s been confirmed “the incident was a ‘swatting’ event, which involves making a false report to elicit a large police response.” The district says there was no actual threat to its students.
Meanwhile, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department tells us it’s assisting at Lakeshore and at St. Joseph Public Schools, where it says a lockdown was also implemented and later lifted.
There were also reports of lockdowns at Our Lady of the Lake and Watervliet.
The sheriff’s department will release more information about the swatting incident when it’s available.
