UPDATE at 9 p.m. on 11/2/2022:

At approximately 8:01 p.m., Pana Police Department gave Pana school officials the green light to resume normal school activities beginning Nov. 3, according to Pana Community Unit School District 8’s Facebook page.

Officers arrived on the scene and made a security sweep and assessment of the building and campus, including next door at Pana Jr. High School who had been placed into lockdown to prevent any movement and accessibility throughout the buildings.

No active threat was found, as officers systematically cleared each classroom and student before the students were escorted to a bus and transported to a safe location off campus.

Once students were removed from school grounds, an additional security sweep was made utilizing Police K-9’s to eliminate any persons or possible firearms and/or ammunition inside the building. No persons or items were found.

The investigation into the note on the wall continued and is being led by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 4, Central Illinois Enforcement Group, and assisted by Pana PD and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.

The case remains under investigation.  

Numerous agencies quickly responded to assist including Central Illinois Enforcement Group (CIEG), Christian County Sherriff’s Office and K-9, Shelby County Sherriff’s Office, Assumption PD, Shelbyville PD and K-9, Taylorville PD and K-9, Finley PD, Moweaqua PD, Illinois State Police District 9, Illinois State Police Swat, Secretary of State Bomb Squad and K-9, Pana Fire Department/EMS, and Echo Response.

Pana Police said they are grateful for the strong support and response by so many agencies, and also appreciate the bravery demonstrated by Pana School Administration, Faculty and Staff to assist officers during and throughout the incident.

ORIGINAL STORY:

PANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Pana High School is being evacuated Wednesday after school officials found a threat.

According to a letter issued to parents by Pana School District Superintendent Jason Bauer, someone found a note in a bathroom stall that said, “There is a shooter in the school right now.” Pana Police Department is helping dismiss students to transport them to safe locations.

Pana Jr. High is also being put on lockdown as a precautionary measure. Shelbyville School District also sent out a text alert, saying they’re monitoring the situation.