‘Claims of shots fired’ bring police, parents to Laney High

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a large police presence Monday morning at Lucy C. Laney High School.

According to an alert from nearby Augusta University, the response was prompted by “claims of shots fired.”

About a dozen patrol cars with blue lights flashing, including about eight cars from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, were at the school, 1339 Laney Walker Blvd., about 10:54 a.m.

Around 11:15 a.m., it appeared that a young man in handcuffs was being put into the back of a patrol car.

Two officers were guarding the gate.

An officer said just before 11 a.m. there was a “soft lockdown” and the situation had been contained.

They said there were no injuries but they gave no details of what had actually happened.

However, nearby Augusta University issued an alert to the AU community that around 10 a.m., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office “responded to claims of shots fired.”

The alert continued: “Upon arrival it was determined that there was no active threat to the community and surrounding area.”

As rumors flew on social media, an army of parents showed up at the school, with many of them parking across the street/

At 11:15 a.m., officers gave the OK and parents streamed across Laney Walker Boulevard and into the school. Authorities said they would need an ID to pick up their kids.

At least some police cars were starting to leave the scene around 11:05 a.m.

News 12 reached out to the Richmond County School System and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about the situation.

Laney High School has not been immune from the weapons and gunfire at schools across the country in recent years.

On Sept. 16, 2022, there was a shooting outside the Laney High School football game against Thomson. The shooting was blamed on visitors from McDuffie County.

In March, a gun was found in a student’s book bag during an administrative search on the campus.

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