OXFORD, Miss. — A juvenile in Texas is in custody after a bomb threat was called into Oxford Middle School on May 19, Oxford Police Department officials said.
Police said the threat came through a blocked-number phone call to the school’s front office. Oxford police school resource officers were already on campus and immediately responded, and the school was placed on lockdown while officers secured students and staff.
Additional officers set up a perimeter and incident command while the district activated its safety plan. Students and staff were evacuated and taken to a reunification site so families could be reunited. After the evacuation, officers and K-9 units searched the school room by room.
Investigators traced the call to a juvenile in Texas who is now in custody, police said. “The safety of the students in our community remains our top priority at the Oxford Police Department,” Chief Jeff McCutchen said. “We are grateful for our relationship with the Oxford School District and their dedication to school safety. This is why it’s so helpful to work together with our school district and other local emergency responders to train these scenarios like we did this past January.” Police thanked the Oxford School District, Oxford Fire Department, University Police Department, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Southaven Police Department, Mississippi State University Police Department, DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, emergency medical services and Oxford police staff for their response. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
