News Summary
Homecoming weekend at Peabody Magnet High School faced an abrupt cancellation due to credible security threats. The decision was made shortly before the scheduled parade, disappointing many who traveled to attend. Community members and local officials expressed their concerns, noting the impact on students, families, and surrounding businesses. Law enforcement confirmed arrests linked to social media threats, prompting heightened security measures to ensure public safety. This cancellation leaves the community reflecting on the importance of safety during significant cultural events.
Alexandria – Homecoming weekend events at Peabody Magnet High School were abruptly canceled amid credible security threats that raised safety concerns for students and attendees. The decision, made shortly before the scheduled homecoming parade, was based on verified intelligence suggesting possible risks to public safety.
In a statement, community activist Tony Brown expressed his frustration over the cancellation, noting that many attendees traveled from as far as California and Canada to participate in the celebration. Crowds had gathered along the parade route for hours, eagerly awaiting the event, only to learn moments before its start that it had been called off. In addition to the cancellation of the parade, the traditional tailgate celebration that follows was also scrapped.
The Peabody Magnet homecoming football game against Franklin, a highly anticipated event, was likewise canceled with no date set for rescheduling. According to Brown, this decision significantly affects not only the football players and homecoming court but also band members and parents who had dedicated time and resources in preparation for the festivities.
On September 29, 2025, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO) confirmed the arrests of two juveniles related to threatening social media posts directed at multiple local high schools, including Peabody Magnet High School, Alexandria Senior High School, and Pineville High School. Although the threats were classified as “non-credible,” investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent and potential motivations behind them.
The first juvenile, arrested in connection with threats made against Pineville High School, was charged with terrorizing. A second juvenile was later taken into custody and booked into the Renaissance Home for Youth for terroristic threats associated with Peabody and Alexandria Senior High. It was revealed that these threats correlate to a prior shooting incident at a club in Pineville that occurred earlier that day.
In response to the situation, authorities have heightened security measures and increased law enforcement presence around affected campuses, actively working to ensure the safety of students and the surrounding community. The Superintendent of the Rapides Parish School Board, Jeff Powell, expressed gratitude toward local law enforcement for their quick response and called on parents to remain cooperative during this period of elevated security scrutiny.
The initial decision to cancel the homecoming parade was made after law enforcement received verified intelligence regarding credible security threats. City officials reported that potential risks may have originated from individuals outside of Rapides Parish and could involve intentions of retaliation stemming from earlier violent incidents.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the impact of the threats on local businesses and emergency services during what would have been a busy weekend for the community. The RPSO has encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, providing multiple contact numbers for public use in their ongoing investigation.
As local law enforcement continues to address these security concerns, the community of Alexandria is left reflecting on the cancellation of a significant cultural event. With safety as the top priority, officials remain committed to ensuring that future events can proceed without similar interruptions.
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Additional Resources
- KALB: Threats Made to ASH, Peabody & Pineville High Schools
- Wikipedia: Pineville, Louisiana
- CENLA Now: Rapides Parish Sheriff Investigates School Threats
- Google Search: School Threats Louisiana
- The Town Talk: Police Threats to Alexandria, Peabody, Pineville High Schools
- Google Scholar: School Safety Measures
- KALB: Peabody Homecoming Game & Parade Canceled
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homecoming Festival
- KALB: Peabody Magnet High School Hosts Annual Homecoming
- Google News: Peabody Magnet High School
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
