Who Is Lytonja Barfield? Caddo Parish Teacher Arrest

Lytonja Kimesenna Barfield is a 58-year-old Shreveport, Louisiana, woman who worked as a substitute teacher for Caddo Parish Public Schools. Barfield was arrested in August 2026 after authorities accused her of using the school district’s emergency management system to trigger false active-shooter alerts at five schools. She was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on five counts of menacing.

Lytonja Barfield Active Shooter Alert Allegations

Barfield Accused Of Triggering False Active-Shooter Alerts At Five Schools. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office alleges Barfield used the district’s emergency management system to report active shooters at five separate schools on August 19. Officials determined that the alerts were false. [Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office]

School Officials Implemented Security Measures In Response To False Alerts. The active-shooter notifications prompted Caddo Parish schools to activate security measures intended to protect students and staff while officials investigated whether the threats were legitimate. Authorities said the reports caused emergency responses before they were determined to be false. [KSLA]

School Security Director Identified Barfield As Alleged Source Of Alerts. Don Gibbs, director of security for the Caddo Parish School Board, told sheriff’s investigators that Barfield had used the district’s emergency management system to generate the five active-shooter reports. School officials subsequently identified her as the person allegedly responsible. [Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office]

Detective Located And Questioned Barfield Before Her Arrest. After investigators determined that the alerts were false, a Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office detective located Barfield and questioned her about the incident. The sheriff’s office said evidence gathered during the investigation led authorities to arrest her. [KNOE]

Lytonja Barfield Arrest

Barfield Booked On Five Counts Of Menacing. Authorities arrested Barfield and transported her to the Caddo Correctional Center, where she was booked on five counts of menacing. Sheriff’s records list her full name as Lytonja Kimesenna Barfield and show that she was booked on August 19. [Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office]

Caddo Parish Schools Says Barfield Is No Longer Employed By District. The school district said after the arrest that Barfield was no longer employed by Caddo Parish Public Schools. Officials also said she was not assigned to work at any district school or other district site when the false alerts were allegedly sent. [People]

District Says It Followed Established Security Protocols During Alerts. Caddo Parish Public Schools said it followed its established security procedures after receiving the emergency notifications and was cooperating fully with the sheriff’s investigation. The district declined to discuss details of the ongoing criminal investigation. [People]

Sheriff Says Investigation Into False School Threats Remains Ongoing. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office said false active-threat reports can cause significant disruption, consume emergency resources and create fear among students, employees and families. Authorities said the investigation into the Barfield case remains open. [Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office]