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A substitute teacher was arrested for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts at five schools in Caddo Parish, according to Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. 

On August 19, 2026, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office was alerted by officials from the Caddo Parish School Board about possible threats after emergency alerts were received from multiple schools. 

Don Gibbs, the Director of Security for the Caddo Parish School Board, informed investigators that substitute teacher Lytonia Barfield, 58, had used the school district's emergency management system to report active-shooter alerts at five schools. 

School officials promptly implemented security measures to ensure the safety of students and staff while determining the legitimacy of the reported threats. They quickly established that the alerts were false and identified Barfield as the individual responsible for sending them. 

Later, Detective Jackson of the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office located Barfield and questioned her about the incident. Based on the evidence and information gathered during the investigation, Barfield was arrested and transported to the Caddo Correctional Center, where she was booked on five counts of menacing. 

The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office takes all threats involving schools seriously. False reports of active threats can cause significant disruptions, prompt emergency responses, and create fear among students, parents, school employees, and the broader community. 

The investigation is ongoing.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Breck Scott