Why a Macon school was briefly placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon

A middle school in the Bibb County School District was briefly placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon, shortly before dismissal, due to reports of alleged firearm possession on campus.

Appling Middle School was placed on lockdown around 3 p.m. after school officials and campus police were alerted, according to district spokesperson Stephanie Hartley.

“The district received a message through Let’s Talk on Wednesday afternoon from an individual at Appling Middle who reported overhearing students speaking about another student having a weapon on campus,” Hartley said in an email.

“No weapons were found, and it was determined the students had been joking around and using fake names as they were speaking,” Hartley added.

The school resumed normal operations and dismissed students at the regular time.