Hoax active shooter call forces Licking Valley students to evacuate

Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said the active shooter call at Licking Valley Local Schools appears to be linked with other hoax calls across the state on Friday.

"We have found no evidence of any shots fired and everyone is safe," Thorp said via social media. "Following our protocol all buildings were swept and are secure. It is our understanding that other jurisdiction in Ohio have received the same phone call which activated our incident."

Around 11 a.m. Friday, officers were called initially to Licking Valley High School, then Licking Valley Middle School for a possible active shooting. The two schools are within walking distance of each other.

News: Licking Valley school shooting hoax a 'nightmare' for parents

According to radio traffic on Friday morning, officers were looking for a white male possibly in his 20s wearing an armored vest. An officer reported one male was detained around 11:20 a.m. Friday. Officers reported a parent responded to the scene with a firearm. It is unknown whether the person detained is connected.

At roughly 11:45 a.m.; police reported via the scanner that no shots had been fired and there were no reported injuries at Licking Valley.

Via scanner traffic, an officer reported students were allowed to return to their respective schools. Licking Valley Superintendent Scott Beery said parents were then allowed to pick up their kids at their individual schools.

They also said the district would send a couple buses out to pick up any students on foot. The buses will have law enforcement officers aboard them as a precaution.

Radio traffic previously indicated law enforcement cleared the buildings and are evacuating students.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Hoax active shooter call forces Licking Valley students to evacuate