Autocorrect text prompts school lockdown

The autocorrected message sent from a student's smartphone accidentally lead to lockdowns at two Florida schools. Photo / Thinkstock

An autocorrected text message accidently sent to the wrong number prompted lockdowns at two Florida schools this week.

West Hall middle and high schools in Gainesville were locked down about midday Wednesday (local time) after a student sent the text "gunman be at west hall today", the Gainesville Times reported.

The text had meant to read "gonna be at west hall today". "Gunna" is slang for "going to".

However the phone's autocorrect feature changed the word "gunna" to "gunman", and then the text was accidentally sent to the wrong number. The recipient informed authorities, prompting officials to call for the school to be locked down.

The incident came only days after three students at Chardon High School, Ohio, were killed by a 17-year-old gunman on Monday.

Sergeant Stephen Wilbanks of the Hall County Sheriff's Office told the Gainesville Times the lockdown was the result of a "combination of odd circumstances".

"We want to emphasise that the recipient did the right thing in reporting the message," Mr Wilbanks said.

"While this event caused a great deal of anxiety among students, staff and parents, be assured that we will always err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our boys and girls."

- HERALD ONLINE