Statement on Law Enforcement Presence at Northside Elementary School

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------At approximately 1:14pm this afternoon, a Centegix alert was activated from a classroom at Northside Elementary School, which is located on N. Townville Street in Seneca.

The alert was activated due to a report of shots fired in the area.  At this time, all students, faculty and staff inside the school are okay.  Also at this time, there is no indication that the shots were fired at the school or towards anyone inside of the school nor on the property of the school. 

Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office along with Officers from the Seneca Police Department actively searched the area, and the woods behind the school, for any evidence of shots fired and persons in the area. 

Currently school staff is working on placing the school back to normal operations. 

After searching the area, and upon further investigation, Deputies believed that a car back-fired in the area.