photo by: Mike Yoder

Panasonic’s electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in De Soto, is a 4.7-million-square-foot plant, roughly the size of 225 football fields and marks a major expansion of Panasonic’s U.S. manufacturing footprint.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has a large presence in the area of the Panasonic plant in De Soto after a reported disturbance.

Reports Friday afternoon that a stabbing had occurred were widely circulating but could not be confirmed.

“The situation is contained and there is no active threat to the public,” the sheriff’s office said on social media. “There will be a law enforcement presence in the area for an extended time.”

A Panasonic spokesperson told media outlets that there was not an active shooter and that the plant, at 10301 Astra Parkway, was working with authorities. No other details were immediately provided.

Panasonic Energy officially opened its De Soto plant in July. The nearly 5-million-square-foot factory produces electric vehicle batteries.