ELKINS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A reported shooting at Third Ward School on Tuesday afternoon prompted a large law enforcement response and a temporary lockdown, though authorities later confirmed no shooter was found and all students and staff were safe.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, 911 received a text message at approximately 3:17 p.m. reporting a shooting at the school.
Law enforcement units were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Sheriff Robert R. Elbon Jr. described the response in a statement, saying, “On Tuesday, March 24, 2026 about 15:17 hours Randolph County 911 received a text message from a cellular phone of a shooting at Third Ward School. Law Enforcement units were dispatched to the school. I arrived on-scene and entered the school as children were being brought outside to their prospective bus as usual. I advised the school principal and other staff of the text message. School authorities immediately went into a code-red and secured all students in their respective classrooms and went into their lock down protocol.”
Authorities conducted a thorough search of the building and surrounding area.
“I began a search of the school rooms. Other law enforcement units arrived and began a room-to-room search of the school and secured the outside perimeter. No shooter was located and all children and staff were safe. School staff started their normal end-of-day school dismissal procedures,” Elbon said.
Investigators traced the origin of the message to a nearby location.
“The phone number was pinged and deputies went to the location where the phone was located on a street nearby. Authorities identified the individual with the phone. The number of the phone where the text originated from was confirmed and the phone was secured. Deputies will continue this investigation and will submit a criminal investigation report to the prosecutor’s office and to juvenile court authorities for proper disposition.”
Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Elkins Police Department, and West Virginia State Police.
Elbon praised school staff for their actions during the incident, stating, “Law Enforcement Units from Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Elkins Police Department and West Virginia State Police were quickly on scene and promptly secured the facility for Children and Staff safety. I would like to express my gratitude to the Third Ward School Teachers and Staff for their calm professional response to this situation. I pray that nothing like this ever happens in our schools but if it did happen, I feel confident that Randolph County school staff are trained and prepared to do what is necessary to protect our children.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
