Forgotten Police Prop Leads to Lockdown at Alabama Middle School

A training backpack left behind after a joint training exercise caused a scare at Northridge Middle School.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:49pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a black backpack, the only visible detail being the rough texture of the fabric, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A forgotten police training prop sparks a lockdown, exposing the need for better safety protocols in sensitive locations.Tuscaloosa Today

A Tuscaloosa County middle school was placed on lockdown after a student found a suspicious-looking backpack on campus. It turned out the backpack was a forgotten police training prop that had been left behind after a joint training exercise during spring break involving the Tuscaloosa Police Department, the department's K-9 Division, and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Hazardous Device Unit.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the importance of proper safety protocols and communication when conducting training exercises, especially in sensitive locations like schools. While no actual threat existed, the situation caused significant concern for students and families, underscoring the need for improved coordination between law enforcement and educational institutions.

The details

After a student alerted the school resource officer about the backpack, administrators at Northridge Middle School immediately issued a shelter-in-place order until additional officers arrived. They quickly determined the backpack contained an inert training device and posed no actual danger.

  • The training exercise took place during Northridge Middle School's spring break.
  • The backpack was discovered by a student on Friday.

The players

Tuscaloosa Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that conducted the joint training exercise at Northridge Middle School.

Tuscaloosa Police Department Hazardous Device Unit

A specialized unit within the Tuscaloosa Police Department that participated in the training exercise.

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Hazardous Device Unit

A specialized unit within the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office that also participated in the training exercise.

Northridge Middle School

The Tuscaloosa County middle school where the training exercise took place and the suspicious backpack was discovered.

Sebo Sanders

The Acting Tuscaloosa Police Chief who acknowledged the situation and the department's steps to prevent a recurrence.

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What they’re saying

“We recognize the situation caused concern to students and families. Steps are being taken to ensure this is not repeated.”

— Sebo Sanders, Acting Tuscaloosa Police Chief

“We appreciate the swift response by school administrators and staff, as well as the cooperation of the students and parents.”

— Sebo Sanders, Acting Tuscaloosa Police Chief

What’s next

The Tuscaloosa Police Department and Northridge Middle School are reviewing their protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for improved coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions when conducting training exercises, to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.