‘Swatting’ call puts Warrensburg High School on ‘soft lockdown,’ superintendent says

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A “swatting” call resulted in Warrensburg High School being put on a soft lockdown on Friday, according to an email from Superintendent Steve Ritter.

"Swatting" occurs when someone makes a false call or message to draw a surprise emergency response to an address.

The email from Ritter said that someone had called the school on Friday morning and threatened to bring a rifle to the school. After investigating, it was determined the threat was not credible, the email says.

The school will be on a “soft lockdown” for the rest of Friday.  

“Out of an abundance of caution, officers will remain on campus for the rest of the day to help monitor the area. Students who are at other buildings at this time will be directed to return home for the rest of the day in order to reduce people who are entering into the building,” the email says. “We will not be sending students to JROTC, A+ assignments, internships or worksite learning. Students who would otherwise leave the building will go to the library for class during that time.”