Dobyns-Bennett Lockdown: School Undergoes 16-Minute Security Lockdown in Kingsport, TN

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Dobyns-Bennett High School was placed on a brief lockdown early Monday afternoon following reports of an unauthorized person attempting to enter the school building. The lockdown, which lasted approximately 16 minutes, was described by school officials as a “preemptive safety precaution.”

Lockdown Initiated as Precautionary Measure

According to Assistant Superintendent of Administration Andy True, the lockdown began at 12:35 p.m. after administrators noticed what appeared to be an unauthorized individual trying to enter the school. The situation prompted school officials to take immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff.

In an email and phone message sent to parents, True explained:

“At approximately 12:35 p.m., administration at Dobyns-Bennett made the decision to place the school on lockdown as a preemptive safety precaution due to a situation that appeared to be escalating outside the front of the school, where it appeared an unauthorized individual was attempting to enter the building.”

The lockdown was lifted at 12:51 p.m., once school officials and law enforcement determined that the situation had been resolved.

No Threat to Students or Staff

True assured parents and the community that the safety of everyone on campus remained the top priority.

“That situation was quickly resolved and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 12:51 p.m. School administration and our School Resource Officers are currently working through safety protocols to return the school to normal operations,” he said.

Police Response and Investigation

The Kingsport Police Department confirmed that the situation was handled swiftly. Cpl. Brandon Arnold, the department’s public information and training officer, stated around 1:30 p.m. that there was no further information available at the time but confirmed, “The situation is already handled.”

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the individual involved or the nature of the attempted entry.

Community Reassurance and Ongoing Safety Measures

While the lockdown caused temporary concern among students and parents, school officials emphasized that the quick response demonstrates the effectiveness of their emergency preparedness and communication systems.

Parents were promptly informed through automated calls and emails, ensuring transparency throughout the situation.

Summary

• Incident: Unauthorized person attempted to enter Dobyns-Bennett High School

• Location: Kingsport, Tennessee

• Time: Lockdown began at 12:35 p.m. and was lifted at 12:51 p.m.

• Duration: Approximately 16 minutes

• Outcome: No injuries or threats; situation resolved safely

Conclusion

Dobyns-Bennett High School’s brief lockdown on Monday afternoon served as a reminder of the importance of proactive safety measures in educational environments. Thanks to the swift actions of school administrators and the Kingsport Police Department, the situation was resolved quickly and without incident.