MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Madison Local Schools went on lockdown Friday morning after a threat was made, according to a statement from the school district.
The district said on social media that all students are safe.
"This morning Madison Local Schools received a threat and the school district immediately went into lockdown procedure," wrote the district.
The Butler County Sheriff's Office said the threat came in around 7:36 a.m. An employee of the school district received a voicemail in which an unknown person threatened to "shoot up the school," the sheriff's office said.
In a letter sent to families later on Friday, the district's superintendent, Jeff Staggs, wrote the sheriff's office had determined the threat "was a swatting incident." The voicemail had outlined a very specific threat, Staggs wrote, so the district acted quickly to activate safety lockdown procedures.
The sheriff's office initially said deputies detained and interviewed a seventh grade student, but officials did not say whether that student is a suspect. Staggs made no mention of a Madison Local Schools student being involved in the letter sent to families.
Ultimately, Staggs wrote that the sheriff's department determined the voicemail threat was a false alarm.
Because of that, Staggs said the district is cleared to resume normal school functions and all evening activities will proceed as planned.
"We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by our students, staff and parents during this challenging situation," wrote Staggs. "Your support is invaluable as we navigate these incidents with the utmost seriousness and care."
School was canceled for the elementary school on Friday. The middle and high schools dismissed students at 10 a.m. Friday.
The threat hits close to home for the district; on February 29, 2016, then-14-year-old James Austin Hancock walked into the cafeteria of the Junior/Senior High School and opened fire with a gun he'd gotten from his grandmother.
He shot two of his fellow classmates that day, wounding them. Two other students were injured while they were hit by shrapnel, or while trying to avoid the gunfire. All of the students hurt that day recovered from their injuries.
Hancock pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges; he told police he shot his classmates because he was unhappy at home. He was sent to juvenile detention until he turned 21.
Watch Live:
