A hard lockdown was in effect at Franklin High School Friday for about an hour after multiple fights broke out in the quad during the high school lunch period.

The main fight began in front of the cafeteria and another occurred near the old A-building lunch room before growing into a larger brawl.

Immediately after the fights began, several campus security monitors and police officers ran toward the sites of the altercations to intervene. Additionally, officers from the county sheriff’s department arrived shortly after the lockdown was declared.

The hard lockdown, which requires all students and faculty to remain inside their locked classrooms for the duration, began at 12:03 pm, was lowered to a soft lockdown at 12:42, and was then lifted entirely about a half hour later.

In an email sent to all FHS faculty and staff, Principal Anna Lottie stated that the incidents will be investigated by school officials and extra security patrols will be added in and around campus.

There are services available to FHS students for conflict mediation and resolution, a point Lotti also addressed in her email, reminding the school community that “physical violence is a crime and could lead to serious consequences. The safety of students, teachers, and staff is our top priority.”