Smithfield-Selma High enters second lockdown in two days due to nearby police activity

Smithfield-Selma Senior High School had its second lockdown in two days on Thursday.

According to Johnston County School District, there was a non-school related incident nearby the school that caused momentary concerns, initiating the lockdown. 

As a precautionary, Smithfield-Selma, Smithfield Middle School and Neuse Charter School entered "secure mode" due to police activity in the area. 

Smithfield Police Department said there was a traffic stop near a bank at the intersection of Durwood Stephenson Parkway and Buffalo Road. During the stop, the person stopped and then fled on foot. Out of caution, Smithfield Selma, Smithfield Middle and Neuse Charter were put on lockdown for approximately 20-30 minutes.

There was no known dangers within any school premises. The situation was handled by local law enforcement and the schools have resumed operations. 

It is the second day in a row that Smithfield-Selma had a lockdown of some kind.

On Thursday, WRAL News spoke with parent Shawn Bascone, whose son is a senior at Smithfield-Selma Senior High School. Bascone said he hadn't heard from the district on Thursday.

"He was stressed out [Wednesday] night," Bascone said of his son.

Bascone explained what happened during Thursday's lockdown.

"I get a text from my son around 9 a.m., saying police knocked on all classrooms and they're yelling that they can't can't leave the school," Bascone said.

There was a police presence on Wednesday outside Smithfield-Selma after a BB gun was found on campus, but police said no students were in danger. According to a statement from the school, students and staff entered lockdown procedures after a weapon was reported on campus.

Upon being notified, school officials and local law enforcement apprehended the student in possession of the weapon, discovering an airsoft BB gun through the school's weapon detection system.

Bascone said he "100%" feels like he's being left in the dark by the district and the school in terms of communication. He mentioned Wednesday's deadly school shooting in Minneapolis, too.

"You would think that they would realize after what happened [Wednesday] the parents are already on edge [Thursday],"  Bascone said.

Bascone fiancée, Christine, added, "The trauma just from [Wednesday] alone and this morning to wake up to it."

On Thursday, three Wake County schools were on code yellow lockdown: Abbotts Creek Elementary, Durant Road Elementary and Durant Road Middle schools.

WRAL Investigates took a deeper dive into how weapon detection systems are used in North Carolina and their effectiveness.