INWOOD, W.Va. — Several schools in southern Berkeley County have resumed normal operations after a morning incident placed them on a “code orange” lockdown.
The lockdown was initiated after the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department responded to an armed robbery at the 51 Eleven Lounge at 7990 Winchester Avenue.
“Code orange” means classes go on as scheduled, but students and staff remain inside of the building.
The school system released the following statement to parents and caregivers Monday morning:
“Musselman High, Musselman Middle, Mill Creek Intermediate, Inwood Primary, Bunker Hill Elementary, Valley View Elementary, Gerrrardstown Elementary, Mountain Ridge Intermediate, Mountain Ridge Middle.
Under the recommendation of the Sheriff’s Department, it was recommended that students remain inside until the all clear is received from the Sheriff’s Department.
– Berkeley County Schools spokesperson
This was later updated with a separate statement indicating the “all clear” had been given at the schools.
“According to the Berkeley County Sheriff Department, a sweep of the South Berkeley area for the robbery offender has been completed.
The code orange that limited students to inside activity in our school has been lifted.
We would like to thank our school administrators, staff, students and parents for their cooperation while this safety procedure was enacted in our school today. We also thank law enforcement who acted quickly to notify us of the situation.”
– Berkeley County Schools Spokesperson
Deputies are still searching for a skinny male wearing a light blue wind breaker, a skull cap and blue bandanna who fled from the lounge on foot.
If you have information, call the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office at 304-267-7000. You can also leave an anonymous tip with the Berkeley County Crime Solvers at 304-267-4999.