The Vernon Parish School Board was made aware of a bomb threat on Aug. 24 around 3:20 pm that involved Leesville High School. The threat was called in to the Leesville Police Department.
The Leesville Police Department, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and Leesville Fire Department responded to the school. Working with the school’s administration, faculty and staff, all students were moved safely away from the buildings and facilities.
Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, Leesville Police Department officers, Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole officers, Louisiana State Police troopers and Leesville Fire Department personnel responded to the campus.
Students and school faculty were evacuated and left the school as scheduled for the day. Streets in the immediate area of the school were also closed as a precaution.
Law enforcement personnel awaited the arrival of the Fort Polk Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. Specially trained officers and K-9s conducted a search of the school and campus.
The buildings and campus were cleared earlier in the day. Out of an abundance of caution, a second K-9 team from Fort Polk also searched the campus and confirmed an all-clear.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office later reported that specially trained K-9s from Fort Polk EOD had completed a search of the campus and no explosives were located.
No injuries were reported.
Superintendent Joseph Bartz said the safety of students and employees remained the Vernon Parish School Board’s top priority and thanked first responders for their quick response and assistance.
The investigation into the incident was ongoing. School was scheduled to resume Aug. 25 as normally scheduled.
Sheriff Craft thanked all of the agencies that responded to the campus and assisted with the investigation.