Alarm malfunction prompts law enforcement response at 2 Alexander County schools

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Officials said East Alexander Middle School and Alexander County Central High School were placed on lockdown Thursday morning after an alarm malfunctioned at the high school.

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Channel 9 crews saw the North Carolina Highway Patrol blocking the entrance of the middle school around 10 a.m.

The lockdowns at both schools have since been lifted.

Officials said they found a pocket knife during the search.

Check back for updates on this developing story.