Police: One detained after apartment search led to multiple Boonville schools being placed on temporary lockdown

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

Multiple schools were placed on a lockdown Tuesday afternoon as the Boonville Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Squad served a search warrant in the 500 block of Vine Street, according to a social media post from BPD.

BPD wrote that threatening text messages were made toward the police department, which allegedly included a photograph “showing what appeared to be a possible homemade explosive device.”

Because of the location of the apartment, BPD wrote that it placed David Barton Elementary, Laura Speed Elliot Middle School and SS. Peter & Paul Catholic School on lockdown while it investigated. All schools resumed normal activity after the apartment was deemed safe, according to the post.

Police wrote that a male was questioned and detained as the warrant was being served. Police wrote that the person allegedly sent the text message. Police wrote that no charges are pending.

The device seen in the text message was found, but it was not an explosive, police wrote.

Boonville Public Schools said in an email shared with families that the middle and elementary schools were placed in a "secure setting" after being notified by police about activity in the area.

The email states the "secure" setting means all the students remain inside with the entry doors locked but students continue learning.