Northgate, Canongate dismiss under lockdown
May. 22, 2018 - 7:47 PM
UPDATE 3:30 p.m.
Northgate High School and Canongate Elementary School finished the academic day Tuesday under precautionary code yellow status while law enforcement officials investigated an alleged gun incident in northeastern Coweta.
Both schools held student dismissal at the normal times – 2:30 p.m. for Canongate and 3:30 p.m. for Northgate – under a modified code yellow status.
Northgate High was notified by law enforcement at approximately 11:20 a.m. that a man was reportedly walking down Fischer Road with a gun.
Law enforcement responded immediately to the situation on Fischer Road, and began a search for the individual. When the high school was notified, a precautionary code red lockdown was initiated to maintain safety.
Northgate moved to a code yellow status at approximately 12:50 p.m. Canongate Elementary initiated code yellow security status as a precaution while the Sheriff's Department investigated in the area.
There was no incident on either school campus.
"The Coweta County School System greatly appreciated the quick notification, increased law enforcement presence and diligent investigation of the matter by the Coweta County Sheriff's office," Dean Jackson, the school system's public information officer, stated in an email.
Northgate, Canongate and the Coweta County School System kept parents updated throughout the day, and both schools sent home letters to parents Tuesday afternoon.
In the letters, Northgate Principal Ken Kesselring and Canongate Principal Betty Archie reassured parents their children's safety remains a top priority.
"We will continue to use our security procedures to in order to maintain a safe learning environment," the letters stated.
OLDER STORIES BEGIN BELOW
Northgate High School and Canongate Elementary School are continuing on heightened security at this time, as a precaution only, while law enforcement investigates an incident in northeastern Coweta.
Northgate moved to a code yellow status at approximately 12:50 p.m.
Northgate was notified by law enforcement at approximately 11:20 a.m. of a man walking down Fischer Road with a gun. Law enforcement responded immediately to the situation on Fischer Road and began a search for the individual.
When the high school was notified, a precautionary code red lockdown was initiated to maintain safety. Canongate Elementary initiated code yellow security status, also as a precaution.
All Northgate and Canongate students and staff are safe, according to Dean Jackson, public information officer for the Coweta County School System.
Law enforcement continues to search the Fischer Road area. Schools are awaiting an all-clear from law enforcement, Jackson said.
The Times-Herald will provide updates to this story as they become available.
Northgate High School is on a code red lockdown after a man was spotted nearby with a gun, school officials say.
The lockdown was initiated as a precaution, according to Dean Jackson, public information officer for the Coweta County School System.
Northgate administrators were notified by law enforcement at approximately 11:20 a.m. that a man was walking down Fischer Road with a gun.
After the school was notified, a precautionary lockdown was initiated to maintain safety.
Shortly afterwards, Canongate Elementary School also initiated a precautionary code yellow security lockdown.
Law enforcement has responded to the situation on Fischer Road, and the school system is awaiting more details, according to Jackson.