ALGONA, IA (Northwestiowanow) — New details have been released about a threat that forced multiple Algona schools into lockdown Wednesday.
Authorities say a call came in at approximately 11:48 a.m. from an unidentified male using an unknown phone number. The caller allegedly threatened to come to Bishop Garrigan School with a gun.
School officials immediately initiated lockdown procedures at both Seton Elementary and the Bishop Garrigan campus. Algona Community Schools also enacted shelter-in-place measures across all buildings as a precaution.
Additional law enforcement units were able to quickly respond, as a multi-agency training exercise was taking place nearby. Officers provided a visible presence at school buildings throughout the community.
Algona Police Chief Bo Miller says at least one other Iowa school received a similar call Wednesday, which was later determined to be a false threat.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted shortly before 3:00 p.m., and both Algona and Bishop Garrigan schools resumed normal operations.
The Algona Police Department, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and several area law enforcement and emergency management agencies assisted in the response.
