Corbin Police increases school security Friday after shooting threat at CHS

Corbin Independent Schools were on alert and bags were searched, but classes went on as scheduled Friday following a threat that was made Thursday night.

Superintendent Dave Cox said custodians at Corbin High School found the threat written on a bathroom wall.

It was reported to Corbin Police who then conducted an investigation, but determined there was no credibility.

Corbin Police Chief Rusty Hedrick said the message threatened that there would be a shooting.

“We had extra patrols at each of the schools and did bag checks as students arrived,” Hedrick said noting nothing was found.

Cox said with April 20 being the anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado that resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher, it is common for schools to see such messages. 2019 marks the 20^th anniversary of the 1999 tragedy.

“At all the trainings on school shootings that I have been to, it is stressed that you have to pay close attention to those anniversary dates,” Cox said.

As an added precaution, school officials sent out a notification via the “all-call” system.

Cox said the message informed parents about the threat and that police had been contacted and that there would be additional officers at the schools when students arrived.

“Attendance was about what we thought it would be given that it was the Friday before Easter,” Cox said.