A bomb threat and extortion call prompted an evacuation Tuesday morning at Johnson Central High School. Paintsville Police Chief Danny Smith says 911 received a call demanding 20-thousand dollars be placed in a vehicle in the back parking lot. Students were evacuated to the football field while officers searched the campus. Multiple agencies, including Kentucky State Police, Johnson County School Police, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, responded. A bomb-sniffing dog from Madison County assisted in the sweep. As of news time, no suspicious items had been found.
The Following Information has been Released by Johnson Co School Officials.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Johnson Central High School has been cleared by law enforcement. Students and staff have returned to the building and are resuming instruction.
While this incident has been identified as part of a nationwide prank, we will remain on a soft lockdown for the remainder of the day out of an abundance of caution. Law enforcement will remain on-site. We ask parents to please allow their children to stay and complete the instructional day.
We greatly appreciate the swift coordination of the Paintsville City Police and Fire Departments, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, the Kentucky State Police, and the Johnson County Schools Campus Police. Thank you for your continued patience and support.