Four Richland 2 schools locked down after gunshots reported nearby
Several northeast Columbia-area schools were on lockdown Friday after gunshots were reportedly heard in the area, officials said.
Four Richland 2 schools were placed on secure status shortly after 11 a.m., the district tweeted.
Students remain safely inside the schools and classes are continuing as normal, but no one is being allowed into or out of the buildings at this time, according to the district.
The schools on lockdown are Sandlapper Elementary and Longleaf Middle School in Columbia, and Round Top Elementary and Blythewood Middle School in Blythewood.
Northstar Child Development Center, a child care center in the area, also was placed on secure status, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy Sara Blann said.
She said deputies responded to the call shortly after 11 a.m. and were looking for people in the area, but didn’t have any additional information at this time.