Southwestern Community College (SCC)’s lockdown at the Jackson County campus location has turned out to be false alarm.
A screenshot of SCC’s warning text about the lockdown sent to students, faculty and staff. Image courtesy of Kaylee Montgomery.
After students reported seeing someone with a gun, the lockdown started at approximately 11:05 a.m., on Sept. 16 and was officially lifted at 2:16 p.m.
While more law enforcement were called to the scene, “thorough investigations on campus” found that students that reported seeing the weapon were mistaken. The investigations included interviewing witnesses and reviewing security footage of the suspect.
As a result of SCC’s lockdown, Smokey Mountain High School, Fairview Elementary School and WCU’s Catamount School were placed in a soft lockdown.
Jackson County campus classes were canceled, but night classes will be continued as scheduled.
Read SCC’s full Facebook post, regarding the incident, below:
SCC’s Jackson Campus was placed on lockdown at approximately 11:05 a.m. on Monday after students reported seeing someone with what they perceived to be a gun near Café ’64. One Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) sergeant who serves on campus was in the vicinity at the time, and more law enforcement officers from JCSO were immediately called to the scene. Upon a thorough investigation of campus, interviewing witnesses and reviewing security footage of the individual in question, law enforcement determined that the students who reported the possible weapon were mistaken, and the lockdown was officially lifted at 2:16 p.m.
Jackson Campus day classes will be canceled following the lifting of the lockdown. We realize this has been a very stressful situation for everyone, making it difficult for students to focus on their studies at this time.
