TAYLOR, NE – A threat of a shooting at Loup County Public Schools that was delivered by email to several staff members at the school brought about quick response by law enforcement and school officials on Wednesday morning.
Due to the specificity of the threat and the fact that it could not be proven to be a hoax, in a release the Loup County Sheriff’s Office and Loup County Public Schools indicated the decision was made to presume it true and provide immediate safety of all students and staff. The threat being delivered by email made the person who sent it not immediately identifiable.
Early Wednesday morning, parents and guardians were told by the school that class would be in session but those wanting to keep students home could do so and to inform the school.
A mid-morning update from the school indicated that all students were accounted for either at school or at home, and that a normal day would run with “SECURE safety” status meaning all doors would remain locked and students would remain in the building. Increased presence of law enforcement in the school and the area was initiated, which will continue the rest of the week. A post to the Sargent Public Schools Facebook page indicated that they also would enter SECURE mode.
Just before noon, Sargent and Loup County schools indicated that they would both return to a normal day after visiting with law enforcement.
According to the news release, the Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Loup County Sheriff’s Office in the ongoing investigation.
