Gun Threat at Middle School

On April 24th 2008 at approximately 8:00 AM Martinsburg Police responded to South Middle School for an alleged threat. It was advised that students had overheard someone advising that a subject may have a firearm at the school. The information could not be readily dispelled or further corroborated in the initial stages of the investigation.

Administrative officials for the school placed the school under a code Orange alert as a precaution which meant that the students and staff members would remain in their classrooms pending a school wide search of all persons as well as the entire facility until the code was lifted.

Martinsburg Police Department School Resource officer along with several members of the Martinsburg Police Department responded to the school to conduct a search of the entire facility and also performed an electric waning of the student body.

At the conclusion of the search no firearm was found and the school resumed its normal activities. The code Orange alert for the school was lifted at 10:20 AM.

The investigation is ongoing and the Martinsburg Police Department would encourage anyone with information concerning this incident or alleged threat to notify the Martinsburg Police Department at 304 264 2100 and or Berkeley County Crime Solvers at 267-4999.

The Martinsburg Police Department would like to extend their appreciation for the excellent cooperation and professionalism of the schools faculty and student body during this incident.