A substitute teacher in Louisiana was taken into custody after allegedly sending false active shooter alerts at five schools. This incident prompted district-wide security actions.
Details of the Incident
Lytonja Barfield, 58, was charged with five counts of menacing as authorities investigated the alerts. Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. revealed the charges following the notifications. These alerts prompted the Caddo Parish School Board to reach out to law enforcement regarding potential threats.
According to the sheriff’s office, Don Gibbs, Director of Security for the school board, stated that Barfield, a substitute teacher, misused the district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooters at five different schools. In response, school officials activated security protocols to safeguard students and faculty while they assessed the situation.
Investigation revealed the alerts were unfounded, leading to Barfield being identified as the source. She was apprehended and taken to Caddo Correctional Center based on collected evidence.
Response from Caddo Parish Schools
Caddo Parish Public Schools confirmed Barfield’s employment termination and stated she was not working at any district site during the supposed incidents. They assured full cooperation with the sheriff’s ongoing investigation.
“We will continue to collaborate with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office,” the school district stated, “while maintaining established security protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff.”
Impact of False Alerts
The authorities emphasized that such false reports can cause school disruptions and unnecessary emergency responses, inciting fear among students, parents, and school employees.
The investigation remains active as officials seek additional information on the motivations behind the false alerts.
Leave a Reply