HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 373 officials are reporting an unfortunate miscommunication that startled students in Newton.
Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, Chisholm Middle School, 900 East First Street in Newton, was running a staff training drill for an active shooter situation, according to a social media report from Newton Police.
Unfortunately, a small group of students who were still in the building heard an announcement over the PA system but did not hear the word “drill” and believed it was a real active shooter.
The students hid in a restroom and called 911. Law enforcement from around the county began to respond, and Newton officers arrived at the school almost immediately.
Newton Police said, "this was a very scary situation for those students, but thankfully they were not in danger. Drills are an important part of preparing for emergencies to keep students and staff safe, and this was an unfortunate misunderstanding."