Public fear over school shootings in the United
States appeared to spread to one of the
country's air bases in South Korea on Monday
as student facilities were locked down over
"reports of an active shooter."
According to an initial statement on Osan Air
Base's website, Osan High School, Middle
School and Elementary School were all
affected from around 10.00 (3.00 Turkish
time) at the base, roughly 70 kilometers (over
43 miles) south of capital Seoul.
Morgan Nugent, principal at the high school,
was quoted by base officials on Facebook
during the lockdown in an effort to reassure
parents their children were safe.
Nugent explained that the scare was prompted
by a phone call to a teacher "that sounded
automated saying that there was an active
shooter drill taking place."
With no such drill scheduled, orders were
given to take cover and all but emergency
travel was restricted until the premises had
been searched.
The lockdown was eventually lifted at
approximately 12.30 local time.
Relief broke out as no injuries were reported
and relatives also took to social media to
praise the response of officials on the base,
which makes up one of several U.S. military
hubs housing a total of nearly 30,000
personnel in South Korea.
It was not immediately clear whether the
seemingly automated phone call in question
had been a mistake or a hoax -- but Colonel
Brook Leonard, 51st Fighter Wing commander,
insisted in a further official statement that
"any report of an active shooter incident is
taken incredibly seriously."
Leonard also praised the school and
responders' "quick and decisive actions" for
ensuring the safety of families and personnel.
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