Delhi schools lockdown ends without injuries

Delhi schools were locked down briefly after students heard gunfire in the area on Thursday.

“At approximately 2 p.m. on Aug. 16, the administration of Delhi High School was made aware of gunshots in the vicinity of the school campus,” Richland Parish Superintendent of Schools Sheldon Jones said. “Delhi High School, Delhi Middle School and Delhi Elementary School were immediately placed on lockdown. Delhi Police Department and Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office both responded and secured school campuses.”

At approximately 3:30 p.m., all Delhi schools were systematically released from lockdown. No injuries were reported. 

Delhi Police Chief Roy Williams said the situation arose after his department was called to remove a student from the school due to a fight.

“My officer went to the school and she took the student who was being removed home,” Williams said. “While she was with the student at his house, other students heard shots in the area of the school.”

 Williams said his officers and the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office then aided in locking down the schools and making sure no shooters were on campus for the protection of the students.

 “During our investigation we spoke with some witnesses who said the shots seemed to come from the west side of Highway 17 in the direction of May Street Apartments,”’ Williams said.

  Jones noted the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office facilitated three days of A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) Active Shooter Trainings at all Richland Parish schools during July and August, so school employees and law enforcement personnel had the knowledge and training to handle the situation properly.

“Student and employee safety are top priorities of Delhi schools,” Jones said.

While no students are believed to have been in danger during the incident, Williams said he was happy to school and law enforcement officials reacted quickly and appropriately due to their training in dealing with active shooter situations.

 “Everybody did what they were supposed to do and nobody was injured,” Williams said.