Kentucky State Police investigating multiple school bomb threats across the state

A robocalling campaign is suspected in multiple recent school bomb threats reported across the state, Kentucky State Police said Tuesday in a statement.

“The Kentucky State Police is aware of and actively investigating multiple school bomb threats reported across the Commonwealth. KSP is working in coordination with local law enforcement agencies to investigate these incidents,” KSP officials said.

As of Tuesday morning, none of the threats has been deemed credible, they said.

“Preliminary findings suggest the threats may be linked to a robocalling campaign,” police said. “These threats are illegal, disruptive, and unacceptable. We will thoroughly investigate each incident and hold those responsible fully accountable.”

Floyd County was among the districts impacted, officials said.

“Floyd County Schools appears to have been included in a series of suspected ‘swatting’ incidents being tracked across the Commonwealth by the Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center,” district officials said Tuesday afternoon. “These incidents involve spoofed calls using a scrambled, robotic male voice and have been reported in Floyd and surrounding counties. Law enforcement indicates some calls may be AI-generated and traced to sources outside the state. The investigation remains ongoing,” On Tuesday, Betsy Layne Elementary School was placed on lockdown following an anonymous call reporting a possible weapon outside the school campus.

At this time, it appears the call was part of these ‘swatting’ incidents,’ district officials said. A significant law enforcement presence responded immediately, and the school’s resource officer coordinated with responding agencies while administrators implemented safety protocols without delay. Out of an abundance of caution, all students and staff were secured inside the building, and no entry or exit was permitted during the investigation officials said. A thorough search of the campus and surrounding area found no weapon, and there was no confirmed threat inside the building. All students remained safe. The lockdown was lifted following the investigation,

The latest incidents also included a bomb threat Tuesday morning at Johnson Central High School, Johnson County school district officials said.

“Johnson Central High School has been evacuated,” a statement said. “Police are sweeping the school. Everyone is safe and secure. Please remain calm, and do not enter Johnson Central High School at this time, allowing law enforcement time to complete the work.”

At Anderson County High School, after a Tuesday bomb threat, law enforcement officials cleared the building at 10:30 a.m. but advised that students be released to go home for the remainder of the day to facilitate a sweep of the building with a police dog.

This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM.