This browser does not support the Video element.
Atlanta schools evacuated after fake bomb threats
Atlanta Public Schools and Homeland Security launched an investigation after hoax bomb threats prompted 90-minute evacuations and canine sweeps at Morningside and Springdale Park elementary schools.
ATLANTA - Atlanta Public Schools evacuated three elementary school campuses Monday morning after false bomb threats disrupted classes and prompted a multi-agency security sweep across northeast Atlanta.
Classes had just begun when emergency notices sent administrators into action and left families scrambling to reach their children.
Atlanta public schools evacuated
What we know:
Emergency calls and text alerts went out to families at Morningside, E. Rivers and Springdale Park elementary schools after someone phoned in bomb threats Monday morning.
Classes had started normally at 7:45 a.m. before the threats forced campuses to clear out completely.
At Morningside Elementary School in northeast Atlanta's Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhood, teachers moved students out of classrooms to a neighborhood park before relocating them to a nearby church.
Explosives-detection canine units swept each campus for potential hazards before officials issued an all-clear just before noon.
Campuses remained evacuated for about 90 minutes during the security operation.
Once buildings reopened, Atlanta Public Schools gave parents the choice to let their children finish the school day or sign them out to take them home.
The district did not have an exact count on how many families chose early pickup.
Unidentified hoax caller sought
What we don't know:
Investigators have not identified who phoned in the fake bomb threats or where the calls originated.
Officials have not stated whether a single caller targeted all three elementary schools or if the hoaxes involved multiple individuals.
The total number of students picked up early by parents following the evacuations also remains unconfirmed by the school district.
Evacuated students, parents react
What they're saying:
Parents rushed directly to campus gates after receiving the morning alerts.
"Terrified, terrified," one parent said.
"It's everyone's worse fear, a school shooter or bomb scare," said Morningside Elementary parent Lauren Jong.
Morningside Elementary parent Kourtni Hill described the immediate impulse to act, saying, "I got to get my child."
Students described sudden classroom confusion as emergency alarms sounded.
"We were in the classroom and something scared me because it said evacuate then we went to the park over there," said Morningside student Kalai Fantroy.
Another child noted that classmates broke down during the evacuation, sharing that "Giselle was crying."
Asked later how she felt after the ordeal, Kalai responded, "In the middle."
Law enforcement officials stressed the operational strain caused by false reports.
"They are very disruptive," said Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Police Department Lt. Richard Beck. "They cause a problem so we try to make sure it's done as quickly as possible."
When asked about the motive behind the false alerts, one respondent said, "I have no idea, I have no idea."
Parents noted that the threats forced difficult discussions at home, with one family member adding, "We were just having a conversation about this."
Federal and local inquiry
What's next:
The Atlanta Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security are taking the lead in the joint investigation to trace the hoax calls.
Authorities are reviewing communication records to identify the source of the false threats.