Foley, AL — Foley High School was placed under lockdown Thursday morning following a fight that broke out on campus, causing initial panic and widespread rumors about the nature of the disturbance. Baldwin County law enforcement, including officers from the Foley Police Department and deputies from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department, responded swiftly to the scene, securing the campus and lifting the lockdown after determining that there were no weapons involved and no shots fired.
This incident, while alarming to parents and the community, resulted in no injuries, and all students were reported to be safe. However, misinformation spread rapidly on social media platforms, complicating the situation for law enforcement and school officials.
According to a spokesperson from Baldwin County Public Schools, the lockdown was enacted as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff while the situation was assessed. “We can confirm that all students are safe, and the lockdown was lifted after law enforcement secured the campus. At no point were weapons involved, and the rumors circulating about gunfire are entirely false,” the spokesperson said.
The Foley Police Department issued a separate statement later in the morning to address the flood of misinformation spreading online. According to the statement, many of the images and videos being shared on social media in connection with the lockdown were old and had nothing to do with the events at Foley High School that morning. “Some of these images were not even taken on this campus,” said the police department, urging the public to rely on official communications for accurate information.
The incident reportedly began when a physical altercation broke out between students during the morning hours. While the exact cause of the fight remains under investigation, law enforcement officials on the scene quickly determined that the situation did not involve any life-threatening violence. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, Foley High School officials enacted their lockdown procedure, which included securing classrooms and keeping students inside.
Within minutes of the lockdown being implemented, rumors began circulating across social media platforms, some of which claimed there was an active shooter on campus. Frantic posts from worried parents, students, and community members added to the confusion, leading some to believe that the situation was far worse than it actually was.
Foley High School student Emily Johnson recounted the moment the lockdown was announced. “We were in class, and suddenly the principal’s voice came over the loudspeaker telling us to go into lockdown. Everyone got really quiet, and we didn’t know what was going on. We heard so many different things—some people said there was a gun, others said it was just a fight. It was really scary until we found out we were safe.”
Parents, too, were left in a state of uncertainty as they scrambled to contact their children and waited for official word from the school. One parent, Sarah Martinez, described the anxiety she felt as rumors continued to swirl online. “My phone was blowing up with texts and social media posts. I didn’t know what to believe. One minute, someone was saying there was a shooter, and the next, I heard it was just a fight. I was just praying my child was okay.”
The rapid spread of false information not only added stress to an already tense situation but also complicated the response from law enforcement and school officials. Foley Police Chief Thurston Bullock spoke about the challenges of managing a real-time incident while also combating misinformation. “We understand that parents and community members are deeply concerned when something like this happens, but it’s critical that people wait for verified information before jumping to conclusions. Sharing unverified reports can cause unnecessary panic and confusion, which hampers our ability to ensure public safety.”
In the hours following the lockdown, school officials and law enforcement worked to restore calm and provide clear, factual updates to parents and the community. The Foley Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that their officers had thoroughly searched the campus and found no evidence of weapons or any ongoing threat.
As a precautionary measure, additional law enforcement officers remained on campus throughout the rest of the school day to reassure students, staff, and parents. The Baldwin County Board of Education also initiated a reunification plan, allowing concerned parents to pick up their children if they wished to do so.
By midday, school officials held a press conference to dispel the remaining rumors and reassure the public that the situation had been resolved. Foley High School Principal Dr. Kimberly Williams addressed the community, emphasizing that student safety had been the top priority from the moment the incident occurred. “I want to assure everyone that we take these situations very seriously. We immediately followed our lockdown protocols and worked closely with law enforcement to resolve the situation quickly and safely. At no point were students in any danger, and we are grateful for the swift response from our local police and sheriff’s departments.”
While the lockdown was lifted, the investigation into the altercation that sparked the incident continues. School officials are working with law enforcement to determine the exact cause of the fight and to identify any individuals involved. Disciplinary actions, according to Dr. Williams, will be taken against any students found to have violated school policies or endangered the safety of others.
As the day progressed, more information emerged about the students involved in the altercation. According to preliminary reports, the fight may have been the result of a personal dispute between a small group of students, though investigators are still gathering details to fully understand what led to the confrontation. “We’re still in the early stages of the investigation,” said Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Lt. Jonathan Adams. “We’ve interviewed several witnesses, but there’s more work to be done before we can provide a full account of what happened.”
Despite the resolution of the immediate crisis, the incident has left many parents and students shaken. Several parents expressed their frustration with the spread of misinformation and called for greater transparency in communicating with families during emergencies. “It was terrifying not knowing what was happening and seeing all these rumors online,” said parent Kelly Roberts. “I think the school and the police did their best, but I hope in the future, there’s a quicker way to let parents know what’s really going on.”
School officials have acknowledged the need for improved communication and are reviewing their protocols for notifying parents during emergencies. In a statement released after the lockdown, the Baldwin County Board of Education expressed their commitment to ensuring that families are kept informed in real-time during future incidents. “We understand the anxiety that comes with not knowing all the details during an emergency, and we are working to improve our communication channels so that parents can receive accurate information as quickly as possible.”
In the aftermath of the incident, local authorities are also urging the public to be cautious when sharing information on social media, particularly during rapidly evolving situations. The Foley Police Department emphasized that spreading false information can have serious consequences, not only for those directly involved in the incident but also for the broader community. “Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s important to use it responsibly,” said Chief Bullock. “In cases like this, misinformation can lead to unnecessary panic and make it more difficult for us to do our jobs. We encourage everyone to wait for official updates from law enforcement and school officials before sharing information.”
For now, Foley High School is focusing on returning to normalcy, with counseling services being made available to students and staff who may be experiencing anxiety or stress in the wake of the lockdown. Principal Williams expressed her gratitude to the school’s staff, law enforcement, and the community for their cooperation and understanding during the incident. “We are fortunate that today’s situation was resolved without harm, and I want to thank everyone who played a role in ensuring the safety of our students.”
As the investigation continues, school officials are reminding students of the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully and are encouraging open dialogue to prevent future incidents. “We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all of our students,” said Dr. Williams. “It’s important that students feel comfortable coming forward to report any issues they may be facing, and we will continue to provide the resources they need to do so.”
Ultimately, while the incident at Foley High School caused significant concern, the quick and coordinated response from school officials and law enforcement helped ensure that the situation was brought to a safe conclusion. However, the event has sparked important conversations about the role of social media, the spread of misinformation, and the steps that can be taken to improve communication during emergencies in the future.
