Two Ponchatoula schools put on lock down for investigation of ‘unfounded threat’

PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) — Officials with Martha Vinyard Elementary School and Ponchatoula High School announced that the schools were placed on lock down on Tuesday, April 23.

In a post to social media, Ponchatoula High School officials said the school is in lock down while “an unfounded threat is being investigated.”

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The post states that students, faculty and staff are safe, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Ponchatoula Volunteer Fire Department are on campus.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that Ponchatoula High School employees made deputies aware of “an anonymous tip, claiming someone was on their way to the school with a gun” around 11:30 a.m.

Out of precaution, TPSO officials Martha Vinyard Elementary School was placed on lock down due to its close proximity.

They said the school is safe, and the threat has not been deemed as credible.

TPSO officials said the schools will stay on lock down until further notice, and extra deputies will be on campus for the rest of the day.

This is a developing story. Stay with WGNO as we learn more.

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