The Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD) received a report of a bomb threat via a 911 call relating to Dolby Elementary School on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at around 1:30 pm. Officers were immediately dispatched to the area.
The initial LCPD officers reached the location within five minutes and started the process of removing students and faculty from the school premises. Alongside them, deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO), who reached the scene as well, cooperated to create a boundary for managing the traffic.
Collaborating with Calcasieu Parish School administrators, law enforcement agents ensured the safety and presence of all students and teaching staff. Subsequently, they aided in moving everybody to a neighboring church for their afternoon departure.
Detectives from the LCPD have been entrusted with this investigation and SWAT officers from the department have conducted a comprehensive search of the school with the aid of a bomb detection K9 from CPSO.
The inquiry is still in its initial phase, and as more details emerge, they will be made public.
People possessing extra information are requested to connect with Chief Detectives Sgt. Dustin Fontenot or Sgt. Chris Johnson by dialing 337-491-1311.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board released a statement stating that Dolby was one of several schools across Louisiana targeted on August 16 with bomb threats. The school board commended the school staff for remaining calm and working diligently to ensure that students were safe at all times. While the investigation is ongoing, the Lake Charles Police Department, with the assistance of other agencies, has cleared the building for re-entry and school will resume as normal on August 17.