On Tuesday, March 21, at around 1:00 p.m., Coventry High School was put on lockdown due to the claim of an active shooter in the school.The students were told to follow the intruder procedure.
Coventry High School junior Mackenzie Palmeri said, “I didn’t think it was real at first and then my teacher was like ‘everyone get down and get away from the door.’”
The surrounding elementary and middle school had gone on modified lockdowns and parents of the entire district were notified as well. Parents began gathering around the school waiting for updates and for students to be let out of the school.
Mother of Coventry student Delanee Battle, Tabitha Sulins said, “I was at work when I heard and immediately I went to the school and waited for my daughter to get out or to hear any updates, just praying she was safe.”
The police and fire departments of surrounding cities and state troopers had the road blocked off between Cormany Road and the intersection of Manchester Road and Portage Lakes Drive. The police had completely restricted access to the school from the public.
The police had escorted each student out by class with their hands raised. They had searched the classrooms and students’ bookbags. The police had gone through and double checked each student. There were no shots or injuries reported in the school. The shooting was determined to be a hoax and at around 2:00 p.m. that day. The students were allowed to leave the school and the emergency responders began to clear.
Summit County Sheriff Troy Gawlak made a statement to the families. Gawlak said, “We have not found any weapons in the school. There was a tip that there was an active shooter in the building, but we believe it is a hoax due to many fake claims that have occurred in the Akron area in the past year.”
As of right now the school has not made any more updates and the students are going to resume school as normal.