False report of shooter leads to Morgan County school lockdown

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A false report of a nearby active shooter led to a lockdown Thursday at Morgan County R-II High School in Versailles.

Emergency protocols were implemented at all district buildings and law enforcement responded, Superintendent Marc Spunaugle wrote in a news release.

"While we are relieved that there was no actual threat, we understand how frightening and upsetting this situation was for everyone involved, especially our students, families, and staff," Spunaugle wrote.

Counselors will be available and students will receive extra support in the coming days, he wrote.

Spunaugle in a letter to families said the school district has had two separate incidents related to threats over the last few days. The letter stressed the importance of reporting any social media threats to police and not sharing them online.

This month has seen a spate of real and hoax threats play out nationwide. In one Mid-Missouri district -- Southern Boone -- four middle schoolers have been arrested this month for threats.