Report of missing gun prompts 'precautionary lockdown' at CHS

March 19, 2010

Teresa Williams The Times Enterprise Fri Mar 19, 2010, 09:33 PM EDT

THOMASVILLE — A report of a missing gun led to a “precautionary lockdown” at Cairo High School Friday.

“A parent called the police department to report a missing gun and said their child may have taken it,” Cairo Chief of Police Keith Sandefur said. “Nobody said the kid had a gun at the school.”

CHS Principal David McCurry said, around lunchtime, officers came and notified the school resource officer of the situation who, in turn, told him of the report.

Three students were taken to the Cairo Police Department for questioning and CHS was placed under a “precautionary lockdown” by administration, school officials said.

“Students stayed where they were,” Superintendent Dr. Tommy Pharis explained. “Some staff members checked the campus and teachers were asked to alert administration if any students had information. It was precautionary. Administrators wanted to make sure there was not a gun hidden on campus.”

McCurry said he kept in touch with teachers via e-mail updates and no new information was discovered. The normal school day resumed around 2 p.m.

“The school was searched and nothing turned up,” he said. “Fortunately, it was never on campus. Students did have questions and we had teachers let them know what happened and reassure them that no one was in danger. I’m proud of the way everyone handled the situation.”

Sandefur said the youths were being interviewed at the police station Friday afternoon but, at that time, information was still being gathered and no charges had been filed.

The missing handgun is a .45-caliber pistol. It had not been recovered as of press time, but officers were pursuing leads.

“We want Grady County parents to know Cairo High School handled the situation extremely well,” Pharis said. “Procedures were followed to make sure faculty, staff and students were safe. We thank the police department for its prompt response, too.”