An active shooter alarm at Seymour Middle School Sixth Grade Center on Monday afternoon proved to be false, police said.

Police Chief Bill Abbott said someone pushed the alarm button around 3:15 p.m., leading city and county officers to respond and check the building before releasing students.

The teachers kept everybody in the classrooms, and the officers went from room to room, checking and clearing areas, before dismissing students to their buses or parents.

“The procedures were in place and everything worked,” Abbott said.

Superintendent Rob Hooker said he didn’t know who triggered the alarm or if it was an accident or a prank.

“We did not have an active shooter drill scheduled for today, but it’s comforting to know that they are able to respond as fast as they did, and we had everyone we needed there,” he said.

Hooker said police were able to control the scene as parents were arriving to pick up their children at the end of the day.

“I’m sure it was very scary for those parents, but we were well protected and covered,” Hooker said. “Everyone responded like they were trained to do.”

The alarm gave school officials, students and law enforcement an opportunity to practice their active shooter emergency procedures.

“It was an interesting way to have a very effective drill,” Hooker said. “The police coverage was excellent, our transportation department did what they were supposed to do, and everything happened the way it should have had it been a real situation.”