MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -
Extra officers and even gun sniffing dogs were at a Hopkins Central High School, after concern of a possible threat of violence.
Sheriff's Deputies say they were contacted by the school system Wednesday night. Thursday, three different agencies placed officers at schools across the district.
Law enforcement still aren't sure where this whole thing originated, but several parents took it into their own hands and kept their children home Thursday.
"I hate that my children and all of the children in this county have had to go to school in fear," said concerned parent Lisa Hargis.
Last night, the Board of Education says Hopkins County Central received a call saying that a student overheard a conversation that included the word "shoot-out". Law enforcement were quickly notified and began their investigation.
"Right now, as I said, we have not found anything to substantiate this information we received," said Hopkins County Schools Superintendent James Lee Stevens.
Throughout the night, rumors spread on social media sparking concern from parents.
At Hopkins Central Thursday, more than half of the student body was absent.
Hargis has two children in high school and says her son elected to go to school, but her daughter, like many others, didn't.
"As a parent, I didn't have the heart to make her go because if I do and something happens that's on me," Hargis said. "However if I don't, and nothing happens, the bully wins."
Rumors spread so quickly that many parents were even afraid to take their children to Madisonville North Hopkins. The board says attendance there was at 55%. Extra patrols were put in place.
"There have been several practices and measures that have been put in place today to ensure that all of our schools are very safe," said Lt. Robert Carter with MPD.
Hargis says parents were notified at 9:00 this morning about the possible threat. She wishes the board had been quicker to respond.
"I think the phone call should have been made maybe 5:30, 6:00 to let parents know so at that point they had the option to make the choice," Hargis told 14 News.
"We wanted to have accurate information and I think in the future as those come about we will try to be more proactive and be ahead of the game," said Stevens.
Sheriff Frank Latham says this is not something to mess around with or joke about because the potential outcome could be severe.
"This is basically terroristic threatening and it can lead to a lot of serious charges especially if someone becomes injured," Latham said.
Law enforcement confirms that there weren't any reports of direct threats but they're continuing their investigation. The only change in schedule is the pep rally at central has been canceled.
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