Yesterday morning, parents in southeast Las Vegas got the phone call no one wants to hear: Roy W. Martin Middle School was on lockdown.
Around 11:30 a.m., the school – located at 200 North 28th Street – received a threat on social media about a possible armed person on campus.
Within minutes, Clark County School District (CCSD) Police and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) were on scene.
Students were ordered to shelter in classrooms. Parents rushed to the school parking lot, anxiously waiting for updates.
Principal Deborah Thaggard sent a message to families:
“We are aware of a social media threat to our school. The Clark County School District Police Department is on scene investigating and the school is currently on lockdown.”
Thankfully, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported. By early afternoon, authorities detained a juvenile in connection with the incident. That juvenile was later released the same day, and police say the investigation is ongoing.
Fake Threat, Real Fear
At this point, it looks like the threat was a hoax. But kids spent over an hour locked in classrooms, not knowing what was happening. Or the parents who stood outside waiting, fearing the worst.
Local outlets including the Las Vegas Review-Journal, FOX5, and KLAS 8 News Now all confirmed the event was triggered by a “social media threat,” not an active shooting.
The principal later told families the lockdown was done “out of an abundance of caution due to a rumored threat.”
UNLV Shooting Still Fresh
In 2023, a shooter at UNLV killed three professors, shaking the our community. While Friday’s middle school scare didn’t end in tragedy, it’s a reminder that safety threats – real or fake – can strike anywhere, anytime.
Parents in Clark County have complained for years that school safety measures are inconsistent. Some schools have metal detectors. Others don’t. Some lock doors during class. Others stay open.
Nevada lawmakers talk a lot about “school safety,” but results are mixed.
After the UNLV shooting, there was an understandable push for more police coordination on campuses.
Meanwhile, CCSD still struggles with basics like working security cameras and consistent emergency drills; here’s hoping it doesn’t take a real threat for them to get it together.
In Defense of Current Protocols
Critics argue that lockdowns like this prove schools are already doing their job – that protocols worked, and no one was hurt.
They warn against overreacting to every hoax, saying it could desensitize students, or give pranksters more power.
But parents in Las Vegas remain concerned. As one mother told KTNV Channel 13 after Friday’s lockdown, “I don’t care if it’s a prank or not. My kid was scared, and that’s real enough.”
Safety Is the First Job of Any School
Kids can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. And parents can’t focus at work if they’re worried their child’s school might be the next target – whether from a real attacker or a social media hoax.
The Roy W. Martin Middle School lockdown ended with no injuries, thank God. But it left behind another round of shaken nerves – and revived important questions on the safety of our schools.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
