An incident at a home near South Jefferson Avenue and West 17th Avenue on Thursday afternoon briefly rattled a Covington neighborhood, as police responded to the scene and William Pitcher Junior High was placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution. Officers stayed in the area while the school was secured, and authorities said the situation did not pose a broader threat beyond the immediate vicinity. Parents and nearby residents were asked to steer clear while the response unfolded, with officials promising to alert the public once the lockdown was lifted.
The Covington Police Department shared a brief update on its Facebook page, saying, "There is no threat to the public outside the immediate area," and noting that it would notify the community when William Pitcher Junior High was released from lockdown, according to the Covington Police Department.
Police Confirm No Wider Threat
Local station WDSU reported that officers were called to a residence near South Jefferson and West 17th and that William Pitcher Junior High went into lockdown while authorities investigated. According to the station, police did not release details about the nature of the incident and asked people to avoid the immediate area until officers finished their work.
School Context
William Pitcher Junior High is located at 415 S. Jefferson Avenue and is part of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System, according to the district directory. Earlier this month, a former teacher at the school was arrested on multiple counts related to alleged misconduct, NOLA.com reported.
Covington police asked people to avoid the area while officers secured the scene, according to WDSU, and said they would share updates through official channels, per the Covington Police Department. Parents and staff were urged to monitor school and police communications for release or reunification instructions, according to the Covington Police Department.
This story will be updated if police or school officials release additional information.
