Threat to Lyon County Schools believed to be swatting; Sheriff issues statement

Kentucky State Police said no threat was discovered at Lyon County Schools after an investigation into a call received Friday afternoon by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

KSP said they were notified just before 12:25 p.m. by deputies about a threat their office received via phone, indicating a person was at the Lyon County High School armed with a gun. Officials immediately locked down all of the schools, while multiple law enforcement agencies secured and searched the campus.

KSP brought in an explosive-detecting K-9, and fortunately, no active threats were found. Students were safely transported off campus to Lee S. Jones Park to be reunited with their families.

Lyon County Sheriff Brent White said he believes this to be a swatting call. He said that it is basically a person or group trying to invoke terror. He said it worked on some. Sheriff White praised all of the additional support they received in the form of assets being sent to Lyon County.

Kentucky State Police Post 1 troopers and detectives are leading the investigation to determine the source of the threat.


Sheriff Brent White provided the following statement at the conclusion of the incident, to parents/guardians of the students at the affected schools:

“As a parent, I realize it can be frustrating not knowing what is happening or waiting in a long line to be reunited with your child, but please consider this. There are many people across this country and some right down the road from us who would gladly trade places with you tonight because you will have your child under your roof safe and sound. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and understanding.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky State Police will continue to investigate this matter. We want to thank all the many agencies in and outside of Lyon County who deployed to our community for the safety of our students and staff. We thank the school staff for their unwavering commitment to protecting their students and for following instructions during tense times. We are indebted to each. May God bless them all.”