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The school was locked down, and deputies from the Kanahwa County Sheriff’s Office responded.

Sgt. Joshua Lester, spokesman for the KCSO, said in a text, “We put resources officers in the school and flooded the area with officers. Shots were believed to have come from the woods and today begins squirrel season. We believe it was unintentional however we are exercising an abundance of caution just in case.�

“Maintenance workers on the school roof heard the shots and the sound of pellets hitting the rooftop,� Lester wrote in a news release later on Friday.

“A police helicopter was requested from the WVSP to help in the investigation as it was believed the gunshot had come from the nearby woods,� the release said.

“Shotgun projectile evidence was located on the school’s rooftop and several weapons were collected until the investigation is complete.�

Officers located several hunters in the woods, who were detained for investigation. Later on Friday, a hunter from Miami was charged with several misdemeanors related to hunting violations.

The lockdown was lifted at around 8:40 a.m., according to Briana Warner, spokesperson for Kanawha County School. The school is back to normal operations, she said, but parents are always allowed to pick up their children early from any KCS school, if they wish.

The incident remains under investigation by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia Natural Resources Police. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office at 304-357-0169.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.