Moore and Yukon high schools, located in the Oklahoma City metro area, were briefly locked down on Monday after receiving anonymous threats that are believed to be part of a nationwide hoax. According to OKC FOX, the lockdowns were a response to threats made against the schools, with Moore Public School advising parents and families not to approach the campus until police had completed their facility sweeps.
The lockdowns were instituted as a result of an anonymous threat received by a Moore High School administrator. As reported by KOCO 5, this incident compelled an immediate reaction by the schools and law enforcement to thoroughly ensure the safety of students and staff. Officials stated their intentions to carefully investigate to maintain security, despite initial assessments suggesting the threat was a hoax. The schools resumed normal activities shortly after a comprehensive assessment by the police.
Following the securement of the school premises, the Moore Police Department posted on social media, stating, "We know that the same threat impacted other schools across the state. In which a false person allegedly armed with a gun threatened an act of violence at a school," as found in KOCO 5's report. The department emphasized their diligence, mentioning that officers were to continue surveying the property, despite the suspect and threat not being credible.
The hoax impacted multiple schools, with Broken Arrow High School and its Freshman Academy in Tulsa also placing on lockdown due to the widespread threat, as informed by Fox 23. The nationwide hoax was reportedly communicated through the Veterans Crisis Line, a detail confirmed by Moore police. Meanwhile, News 9 shared a message sent out by Moore Public Schools to parents reading: "The MHS campus is on lockdown after administration received an anonymous threat. No one is injured. Families cannot approach the campus until the police finish sweeping the facility."
Fortunately, the lockdowns were lifted with no reported injuries, and both Moore and Yukon high schools returned to normal operations following the police assurances that the threats were unfounded.
