Around noon on Friday, Feb. 9 at South Tama Elementary, students and staff heard what sounded like gunshots. Taking precautions, the school went on lockdown, as the children were taken in from recess.

After some investigation by the Toledo Police Department, the sounds were found to be some locals target shooting a mile or two away in a rural part of the county on their own property. The sound of the shots was able to be heard in town.

“There was no threat to the school,” Toledo Police Chief Dan Quigley said.

In a letter to STC families, Superintendent John Cain wrote, “Please know that in situations like this, our staff and students safety is a priority. We value the support of our local officers and our school resource officer. Thank you for your continued support of South Tama County.”