Lake Charles, Louisiana - Barbe High School in Lake Charles was placed under a precautionary lockdown Tuesday following an anonymous call reporting a student armed with a weapon on campus, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded immediately to the school after the anonymous caller advised there was a student with a weapon on the premises. Law enforcement officials conducted a thorough safety check of the entire campus, with the primary clearing process nearing completion as of the latest update.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed that all students, faculty and staff remain safe during the incident. Deputies continue their investigation into the anonymous call to determine its credibility and gather additional information.
As a safety precaution, W. McNeese Street in front of the school was closed to traffic while law enforcement conducted their search. The road closure allowed deputies to focus their efforts on the campus without interference from vehicle traffic.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board issued a statement to parents and guardians explaining the situation. School officials emphasized that the lockdown was implemented as a precautionary measure in response to the anonymous tip.
"All students, faculty, and staff are safe, and we ask that parents do not report to campus at this time," the school board stated in their message to families. "This is being fully investigated by law enforcement and school personnel."
The school board repeated their safety assurance multiple times in their communication, stressing that no one on campus was in immediate danger. Officials requested that parents avoid coming to the school to prevent interference with the ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement and school personnel are working together to fully investigate the anonymous tip. The collaborative effort ensures that all safety protocols are followed while maintaining the security of everyone on campus.
School officials indicated they would provide updates to families as soon as additional information becomes available. The investigation remains active as deputies work to determine the source and validity of the anonymous call.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office stated they will continue to provide updates as more information develops in their ongoing investigation.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.