Shooting Near Washington School in Greenville Prompts Lockdown and Ongoing Investigation
GREENVILLE, MS – A shooting incident near Washington School, a private K–12 educational institution located at 1605 E. Reed Road, has prompted a full-scale response from local law enforcement and temporarily placed the campus on lockdown Monday afternoon.
The incident, which occurred during school hours, has left parents shaken and sparked serious concerns over school safety in the Greenville area. While no injuries have been reported, a bullet pierced a classroom window, shattering the glass and coming dangerously close to students inside.
Timeline of Events and Emergency Response
According to the Greenville Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene shortly after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the vicinity of the school. The time of the incident has been preliminarily identified as just after 12:30 p.m. on [insert exact date if known].
Within minutes of the report, Washington School administrators initiated their emergency response protocols, placing the entire campus on lockdown while authorities secured the area. Officers quickly arrived and began canvassing the neighborhood and surrounding roadways.
Students and teachers were kept in their classrooms with doors locked as law enforcement assessed the threat level and conducted a sweep of the premises.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and with student safety as our top priority, we locked down the campus while police responded,” said Washington School Headmaster [insert name, if known]. “We are grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions and continued investigation.”
Bullet Strikes Classroom Window
During their inspection of the building, authorities discovered that a bullet had shattered a classroom window on the lower floor of the main school building. The round appears to have come from outside the campus and entered the classroom at an angle. Fortunately, no students or staff were struck by the projectile, though many were in the room at the time.
“It’s truly a miracle that no one was hurt,” said one teacher, who asked to remain anonymous. “The window shattered while we were in the middle of a lesson. The students were terrified. We didn’t know what was happening.”
The classroom was immediately evacuated, and counselors were called in to provide emotional support to students and staff traumatized by the event.
Investigation Underway
The Greenville Police Department has launched a full investigation into the incident, working with ballistics experts to determine the origin of the gunfire. Early indications suggest the shooting did not target the school specifically, but rather was part of an unrelated dispute or random gunfire in the vicinity.
Detectives are reviewing security footage from school cameras and nearby businesses and are calling on residents in the area to report anything suspicious they may have seen before or after the shots were fired.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness,” said Greenville Police Chief Marcus Turner. “We want to reassure the community that every effort is being made to determine the source of the gunfire and to hold the responsible parties accountable.”
No suspects have been named at this time, and no arrests have been made.
Community Reaction and School Response
The incident has ignited concern among parents and local residents, with many expressing frustration over gun violence occurring so close to a school campus. Several parents arrived at the school shortly after news of the shooting spread, anxiously awaiting updates and, in some cases, demanding to take their children home early.
Washington School issued a statement to families later in the day, emphasizing that the lockdown was precautionary and that all students were safe. The school also pledged to review and enhance its security protocols in light of the incident.
Classes resumed later in the afternoon once police gave the all-clear, though a noticeable police presence remained in the area for the remainder of the day.
“This could have been so much worse,” said parent Julia Reynolds, who has two children enrolled at the school. “We’re grateful no one was physically hurt, but this shouldn’t happen—especially not at a school.”
Next Steps and Community Safety Measures
In response to the incident, local officials are calling for renewed efforts to address gun violence and community safety, particularly in areas near schools and public institutions.
The Greenville Police Department is encouraging anyone with information regarding Monday’s shooting to come forward. Witnesses or individuals with security camera footage near E. Reed Road are asked to contact investigators directly at (662) 378-1515 or submit tips anonymously via CrimeStoppers at 1-866-481-8477.
The school has announced that counseling services will be made available throughout the week for students and staff who need support.
As the investigation continues, the Greenville community stands united in its commitment to ensuring that schools remain safe places for learning—free from violence and fear.