NewsCovering Kentucky

Reported hunter near Jackson County schools turns out to be leaves, prompting brief soft lockdown

Top stories in Lexington, Kentucky on Nov. 5, 2026
SCHOOL LOCKDOWN 10
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JACKSON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Jackson County High School and McKee Elementary School were placed on a soft lockdown Thursday morning after a report of a possible hunter turned out to be leaves.

According to the Sheriff's Office, a school resource officer was notified around 8 a.m. of a possible "hunter" that was allegedly seen wearing safety orange and walking into the woodline. The Sheriff's Office said there was also a suspicious vehicle parked in the same area.

After investigating, deputies determined the vehicle had been in the parking lot for a couple days after breaking down.

The Sheriff's Office said the reported "hunter" in safety orange was just a bunch of leaves on the hillside.

Both schools have since been taken out of lockdown. According to the Sheriff's Office, there is no active threat.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.