ELMORE, Ohio — Police are investigating after finding a threatening message on a bathroom wall at Woodmore High School Wednesday. A staff member tells WTOL the message targeted the school itself and was timely.
Woodville police posted about the lockdown on Facebook around 11:00 a.m. The school also alerted parents by sending a message to their phones.
"I got the alert on my phone through a text message saying the school's on a lockdown and they have everything under control," parent Kimberly Runkle said. "They had authorities. I was a little nervous. a little scary. It's my son's freshmen year."
The school remained in lockdown, not even switching classes, until students were dismissed. Sheriff's deputies surrounded the building, armed with rifles, and K-9 units swept the grounds as well.
Runkle and her son are doing fine, but the experience brought back memories of last year when the entire district went on lockdown.
"Doesn't make me feel very good," she said. "It definitely makes me nervous. You think you're, I guess you really don't think about too much, until it actually happens and then you kind of panic."
As a parent, Runkle said she will never get used to these types of threats. But her son and his generation don't seem too bothered.
"He actually, sadly, seemed to be pretty okay with it," she said. "He was like, mom, you're never going to believe what happened... And that was kind of it."
School shootings and threats are tough, but very real topics parents need to talk to their kids about.
"I'm sorry that it happens and seems to happen frequently," said Runkle. "And I'm proud of you for staying calm and just keeping a good head on your shoulders about it."
School officials said they take every threat seriously. Runkle believes they responded appropriately and kept the kids safe.
"They were wonderful and I know law enforcement was on top of it," she said. "They always, anytime there's any issues, the superintendent and school staff are always on top of it. I couldn't ask for anything better."
If you have any information on the incident, please call Elmore Police at 419-862-3980.
As precaution, Benton-Carroll-Salem schools remained on Level 1 alert as a until the end of the day. Dismissal happened as normal.
