Shots echoed through the hallways of New Bloomfield High School on Tuesday during a simulated attack on the school by two heavily armed intruders.
It marked the second year of such training at the school in the wake of shooting tragedies in schools around the nation.
Tuesday's exercise was conducted jointly by the New Bloomfield Police Department and the Callaway County Sheriff's Office.
Playing the role of the two armed intruders who fired blank shots during the simulation were New Bloomfield Police Chief Chris Hammann and Sgt. Shannon Jeffries of the Callaway County Sheriff''s Office.
New Bloomfield Superintendent David Tramel said the exercise was helpful to teachers who have learned how to react if they spot an intruder with a weapon who poses a threat to teachers and students.
The training exercise was conducted with teachers before the start of the school year this week. No students were involved in Tuesday's exercise.
The elementary school at New Bloomfield had an intruder exercise Tuesday morning. Another exercise was at the high school Tuesday afternoon.
"Teachers are taught to run if they see an intruder with a weapon in the school," Tramel said. "Next they will attempt to hide and protect themselves and students from the intruder. If the intruder finds their hiding place, teachers have learned how to fight as a last resort."