Port Barre police say the person they detained in connection with a shooting threat at a school Thursday morning has been released.
Chief Deon Boudreaux says that while the person was detained in reference to this morning’s alleged school threat there was a lack of evidence to support his involvement.
On May 13, 2021 at around 7:45 AM Port Barre Police Department received a call from the Port Barre high school of a possible school threat. Port Barre high school, Port Barre elementary, Port Barre Headstart and Montessori schools were placed on lock down.
Law-enforcement from Louisiana State Police, Opelousas City Police, St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office and Port Barre Police secured the schools and provided perimeter patrols.
State Police were already on campus Thursday morning because of a school program.
Boudreaux says the detained person was interviewed and questioned by police. Due to the lack of evidence to support the claim, the person has been released. The chief adds that the student stands by his claim.
A student told school officials that as he was walking to school, he and the suspected person passed each other and he over heard the man say “something about shooting up a school."
“We’ve canvassed the area, viewed multiple home surveillance videos and interviewed multiple people but found no evidence to support the claim."
The investigation is ongoing. Boudreaux says police will review all evidence closely and work toward the best outcome, and will continue monitoring schools and communicating with school administrations.
"Two things we don't want is to have students afraid to alarm school staff or police of possible danger nor do we want innocent people being arrested," Boudreax adds.
Lock downs were lifted after the person of interest was detained. Boudreaux did not say if the student would be facing any discipline.
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