December 8th, 2023
South Henry Family,
Yesterday afternoon, we were made aware via email of a lockdown that occurred at the New Castle Career Center. At that time, we had no information as to the reason for the lockdown. Late last night, an official press release was published by the New Castle Police Department providing additional information about the circumstances surrounding the lockdown. We have been in contact with school administrators of the New Castle Community School Corporation regarding the situation due to the 60+ South Henry Juniors and Seniors who attend programming there. We are thankful for their work to keep children safe.
At this time, public information is limited to what has been released in the above-referenced press release. The press release stated:
"Today New Castle Police School Resource Officers were notified of a possible threat with the information from the Hagerstown School Administration and Hagerstown School Resource Officer. New Castle police and New Castle school resource officers, with the information provided, handled the situation immediately, detaining two students in the parking lot of New Castle High School before their class began.
At this time New Castle Police Detectives were called to assist with the investigation. After several hours of investigating, it was determined that there had been no credible threat toward any school or any students at all. During the investigation at New Castle High School, several vehicles were searched by administrative staff. During those searches, a firearm was located in a vehicle in the parking lot of the New Castle Career Center unrelated to the possible threat. Several alcohol beverage containers were located in a separate vehicle.
One juvenile student was charged with possession of a firearm on school property and a separate juvenile student was charged with illegal possession of alcohol by a minor. Both students were juveniles.
The New Castle Police Department and New Castle School Corporation make the safety of students and staff the highest priority. As soon as the information was shared with the school staff and school SRO, all on-duty New Castle Police Department units were dispatched to New Castle High School. The New Castle Police Department will continue to work with the New Castle School Corporation to maintain a safe environment that this community expects."
We are extremely grateful for the swift and decisive actions of the Hagerstown and New Castle administration, School Resource Officers, and law enforcement to ensure the safety of Career Center students. We will provide more information as appropriate and as publicly released.
GO TITANS!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Duncan
Superintendent, South Henry School Corporation