Update 8:30 a.m. — County officials now say the ‘active shooter’ call was a false alarm; however, Topsail High, Topsail Middle, and Topsail Elementary remain on lockdown. All other schools have returned to normal operation.
County Commissioner Chairman George Brown has confirmed that malfunctioning equipment was responsible for the call.
PENDER COUNTY — All of the schools in Eastern Pender County are being placed on lockdown while the active shooter situation continues at Topsail High School.
RELATED: Pender County Sheriff’s Office responds to active shooter call at Topsail High School
According to Miranda Ferguson, Pender County Schools spokesperson, “At this time, all campuses on the eastern side of the county are on lockdown. Buses for Topsail Elementary, Topsail Middle, and Topsail High are being staged at Lowe’s Foods across from Topsail Elementary. Parents who wish to pick up their bus riding student will be able to do so at Lowe’s Foods. All staff at Topsail Elementary, Topsail Middle, and Topsail High please report to Lowe’s Foods.”
Ferguson added, “Buses for South Topsail Elementary, North Topsail Elementary, and Surf City Schools are being routed to their respective school campuses, where students will remain on lockdown on the school bus. Parents who were planning to bring their child to school this morning should not do so at this time, as all schools are on lockdown.”
This is a developing story and more information will be added soon.
