New Knoxville School on Soft Lockdown Following Potential Threat

NEW KNOXVILLE, OH — The New Knoxville Police Department says a recent soft lockdown at local schools was a precaution after authorities received information about a potential threat.

According to Police Chief Chris McKinney, law enforcement and school officials decided to implement the lockdown after learning that a 62-year-old man from Indiana had left disturbing messages referencing the “New Knoxville School” and “topped off mags” on food containers.

Chief McKinney emphasized that the decision was not based on the man’s homelessness, as some rumors suggested. “The school did not lock down because of just a ‘homeless man,’” he said. “The decision was made in the best interest of the overall safety of the children until law enforcement could locate the individual and determine if he was a threat or experiencing a mental health crisis.”

The man was located Friday evening in a nearby city. Authorities spoke with him and confirmed he does not pose a threat but does have mental health issues.

Chief McKinney thanked the New Knoxville School and the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation, saying that even amid social media criticism, law enforcement and school officials remain committed to the safety of students and the community.