2 Tuscaloosa Schools Lock Down Tuesday After Phone Threat
Two schools in Tuscaloosa were on lockdown over a threatening phone call Tuesday afternoon, school and police officials have confirmed.
Lydia Avant, the Director of Public Relations for the Tuscaloosa City Schools system, confirmed to the Thread that Eastwood Middle School in Cottondale was placed on lockdown just before 3 p.m. Tuesday. The same procedures were in place at nearby Paul Bryant High.
"At 2:50 p.m. today, Eastwood Middle went into lockdown due to a threatening phone call by an anonymous number," she said in a statement. "Staff have secured the areas for which they are responsible and they and the students will stay inside until further notice. Officers from the Tuscaloosa Police Department are assisting and are at the scene. Traffic in and out of the area is restricted, and you are asked to avoid this area until further notice. We are asking that you do not call the school. Additional information will be communicated as soon as it becomes available. Students will be released as soon as it has been deemed safe to do so."
Stephanie Taylor, a spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa Police Department, confirmed officers were called to the school on Mary Harmon Drive in Cottondale in response to a threatening phone call.
This is a breaking, developing story. Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for updates as they become available.
UPDATE, 3:45 P.M.: EMS and BHS Students are now being released to leave campus, Avant told the Thread.