Student in distress led to lockdown at East Millbrook Middle School

Some students were scared for their lives Thursday when East Millbrook Magnet Middle School briefly entered a code red lockdown.

The school was on a code red lockdown before 10 a.m. while law enforcement responded to a potential threat. The lockdown was lifted by 10:30 a.m.

The school's principal told WRAL News the incident involved a student in distress who failed to follow directions. Law enforcement and Wake County Public Schools security were sent to de-escalate the situation.

The lockdown was brief but still long enough to make some kids fear for their lives. Parents rushed to pick up their kids as the code red lockdown was lifted.

During the lockdown, one 12-year-old girl hid in a closet with her friend and texted her mom.

Her text messages shared with WRAL News included:

"I'm scared."

"It's a lockdown."

"What if I die?"

"I took off my shoes so I can run."

"I just wanna live."

"I have prayed for safety."

Although the situation was resolved quickly, it doesn't change the fear and stress parents and kids felt.

One parent, Jesse Hernandez, told WRAL News there was a bomb threat at the school just a few weeks ago. Another parent said kids had to wait on the football field for three hours before their parents could pick them up.

"We're worried because we don't really know if this is a real alert about something tragic or just a threat and something that is not happening," Hernandez said. "Every time they have to expect the worst ... sometimes when we are at work we have to leave work and come to the school to see what is going on."

The school is located at 3801 Spring Forest Road.

During a code red lockdown, no one can enter or exit the building until the all-clear is given. Unlike a code yellow lockdown, students must stay inside classrooms.