NORFOLK, Va. — A spokesperson with the Norfolk Public Schools said police searched Sherwood Forest Elementary on Tuesday for a possible weapon.
The spokesperson, Barbara Hunter, said that the school went on lockdown at 2:20 p.m. Hunter said the school is expected to released students at its usual time.
The following statement was released by the school to parents:
"This afternoon, Norfolk Public Schools received a phone call alerting them to a possible weapon in Sherwood Forest Elementary School. The school was immediately placed on a precautionary lockdown. Norfolk Police responded and conducted a search. No weapon was found, and the school resumed normal operations with regular dismissal. We thank you for your support!"
Student Karmelo Sheppard said the lockdown was scary.
“It was a lockdown, and my teacher just turned off the light and then lead us to where the books are and we went back to lay down,” said Sheppard.
Some parents were upset. Parent Latisha Mosby said that she and others had no idea what happened until they reached their kids.
“As soon as we saw my daughter, we could see in her face that she was about to cry. She said when they had her hide behind the wall and the hail started coming down, she was scared because she thought they were shooting up the school,” said Mosby.
Parents said they didn’t know the school went on lockdown until they reached the front door to pick their kids up and were handed a note about the incident from school officials. Rashad Cooper said he’s upset he didn’t find out about the lockdown until hours later.
“The note just said that they contacted us and that no weapon was found. I don’t understand what the holdup was about and why no one was contacted,” said Cooper.
School officials said a robocall went out to parents about the lockdown; however, parents said they never received that call.