A report of a possible gun prompted a large law enforcement presence at a Salina School Monday morning.
According to the Salina Police Department, Monday morning at 9:10 AM, Salina 9-1-1 received calls from Salina South High School staff advising a possible person with a firearm was at South High School, 730 E Magnolia. The school immediately locked down, and the SHS School Resource Officer, who was already on scene began a coordinated response.
Numerous Officers and Detectives from the Salina Police Department responded, as did law enforcement officials from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The first Officers arrived at 9:15 AM and immediately began searching the school.
Simultaneously, officers began interviewing witnesses, staff, and reviewing surveillance video from the school. While on scene, Officers were made aware of a post by a student which showed the student with a gun, there were no threats attached to the picture. It was determined the post was made on April 3rd, and the photo was not taken at the school as is being reported on social media. This post was then shared with other students in a chat group.
A student using a restroom heard a sound which they thought could possibly be a gun being “racked” and reported it to staff believing it was the student who made the post. It was determined from surveillance video, the student who made the post had not been in the restroom. The student who was observed leaving the restroom at the time was located and checked. This student indicated the sound was from him crushing a water bottle.
The post made by the student is being investigated.
The investigation determined there was no firearm present or active threats.
The building clearing was completed at 10:12 AM, and the school was released to the School Administration.
The Salina Police Department noted that parents responded and congregated in the parking lots, remaining calm and supportive. The staff and students secured themselves in the classrooms in which they were located, controlling their environments and allowing law enforcement to move swiftly to clear the enormous structure unobstructed.
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ORIGINAL: A report of a possible gun prompted a large law enforcement presence at a Salina School Monday morning.
Officials told KSAL News at the scene that after receiving a report of a possible gun in, or around the school, as a precaution Salina South High School went into lockdown and multiple law enforcement responded to the area. Salina Police, Saline County Sheriff Deputies, Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers, and Salina Fire / EMS all responded.
Unfounded, untrue reports of a possible active shooter quickly spread via social media. A student wearing a backpack fled the area on foot and was briefly detained, and then released. It was determined the student ran because he was fearful after hearing the active shooter misinformation.
The social media misinformation prompted multiple parents to show up outside the school. Salina 911 dispatch also became overwhelmed with calls from people asking what was going on.
After police cleared the school, and determined there was no danger, the lockdown was lifted. They determined that the school was secure, there was no weapon, and that no shots were fired.
Authorities are still investigating, but say there was never an active shooter, no shots were fired, and there were no injuries.
