A disturbance near Alexander Junior High School Tuesday promptedschool officials to hold students in classrooms for a short timefor safety, officials said.

“Something happened in the neighborhood. I don’t what,” said LeaBarrett, superintendent of the Brookhaven School District.

She said a physical education class outside heard a loud noiseresembling a gun shot or a car backfire, and the coach brought thestudents inside until he could determine what had occurred.

“Classes were held temporarily until officials could look into thesituation,” Barrett said.

Barrett said some parents who heard about the disturbance checkedtheir child out of the school.

“A few parents came and checked their children out, but I don’tthink it was a large number or a massive checkout,” she said.

Brookhaven Police Department Assistant Chief Nolan Jones said hewas aware of a call of a disturbance near the school, but not whatcaused it. He said the cause of the incident prompting the 911call, however, is under investigation by officers.