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Southampton Middle School was under a lockdown Thursday morning and early afternoon, Jan. 11, after a report of a student potentially having a gun, but the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office provided an update at 12:49 p.m. indicating a search had yielded no firearms, and the school division stated that the lockdown had been lifted.

“The search of the school has ended,” Maj. Camden Cobb stated via email. “No firearms were located.”

Around the same time, Will Melbye, of Southampton County Public Schools conveyed a voice message announcing the end of the lockdown.

“To our Southampton County Middle School parents and guardians, we would like to inform you that at this time, the lockdown at Southampton County Middle School has been lifted,” he said. “Following an extensive search and investigation, Southampton County Sheriff’s Office announced the building all clear.

“At this time, all students and staff are resuming their normal instructional day schedules, students are getting to lunch and classes have resumed,” he continued. “We would like to extend a special ‘thank you’ to the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police for their swift responses and assistance in handling this matter quickly and safely.

“Thank you, and have a great afternoon,” he said.