Stonewall Public Schools locked down after bank threat

Jan. 11—Stonewall Public Schools was placed on temporary lockdown Thursday morning after a fracas at a local bank.

Pontotoc County Sheriff John Christian said a man made threats at First American Bank in Stonewall.

"The person wanted to get gold from the bank," Christian said. "When informed they didn't keep gold at the bank, the subject, Michael Pierce, became angry and made threats to go get a gun and shoot all the cows."

Christian said deputies were dispatched and arrived within minutes, took the report, and sent out the information.

"The suspect left the area and was located north of Stonewall by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Keith Teel, where (Pierce) was taken into custody, then transported to the Pontotoc County Justice Center," Christian said. "Stonewall Schools administration temporarily placed the school on lockdown at the request of the PCSO school resource officer on duty at the school as a precautionary measure."

The school remained on lockdown for a short period, but was removed from lockdown after the arrest of Pierce, Christian said.

Christian said Chickasaw Lighthorse police assisted with the case.