In Louisiana, a substitute teacher’s actions led to panic across five schools after she allegedly triggered false active shooter alerts, causing district-wide security responses, authorities reported.
Lytonja Barfield, aged 58, faces charges on five counts of menacing following an investigation into the incidents that unfolded on Wednesday, as disclosed by Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr.
The investigation by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office commenced after the Caddo Parish School Board raised concerns about potential threats stemming from emergency alerts issued at multiple schools.
Following the allegations that she initiated false active shooter alerts at five educational institutions in Caddo Parish, Lytonja Barfield, 58, was taken into custody. (Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Don Gibbs, head of security for the school board, informed investigators that Barfield, serving as a substitute teacher, allegedly exploited the district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter situations at five schools, according to the details from the sheriff’s office.
School officials responded to the alerts by implementing security measures to protect students and staff while they worked to determine whether the reported threats were legitimate.
Officials determined the alerts were false and identified Barfield as the person responsible for sending them, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities in Louisiana arrested a substitute teacher accused of triggering false active shooter alerts at five schools in Caddo Parish. (Getty Images, File)
Caddo Parish Public Schools told News Media Barfield is no longer employed by the district and was not assigned to work at any district location at the time of the incident.
“We are cooperating fully with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office as they continue their investigation into the matter. Ms. Barfield is no longer employed by the district, and, at the time of the incident, she was not assigned to work at any district site,” the district’s statement said.
“While we will not speak to the individual details of the investigation, as that is under the purview of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, I can say that, in response to the mobile alerts, the district followed our established security protocols to ensure student and staff safety at all locations.”
The sheriff’s office did not identify the five schools in its announcement or say what specific security measures were implemented.
A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office detective later located Barfield and questioned her about the incident.
Based on evidence and information gathered during the investigation, authorities arrested Barfield and transported her to the Caddo Correctional Center, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office said false reports of active threats can disrupt schools, trigger emergency responses and cause fear among students, parents and school employees. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, File)
Barfield was booked on five counts of menacing.
The sheriff’s office said false reports of active threats can disrupt schools, trigger emergency responses and cause fear among students, parents, employees and the surrounding community.
Authorities did not disclose a possible motive for the alleged false alerts.
The investigation remains ongoing.