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Elgin High School was placed on a brief lockdown Oct. 3 following a call regarding a potential threat, according to the Elgin Police Department.
As a precaution, Neidig Elementary was also locked down due to its proximity to the high school, Elgin Independent School District officials added. Both schools resumed normal operations after police cleared the area.
“In recent weeks, schools around the state and nation have received an alarming number of threats to the safety of their students and staff,” Superintendent of Schools Jana Rueter said in a district message. “Elgin ISD has also received and investigated several potential threats circulating around our school community. In all of the cases so far, invest igat ions have concluded that there have been no credible threats to our schools or students.”
The incident began when of f i c e r s re sponded to a 911 report that a gun had been seen during an off-campus altercation involving a student. The individual involved in the dispute reportedly followed the student back to the high school, prompting police response, according to the department.
After speaking with those involved, authorities confirmed that no weapon was seen, and the other individual never entered school property, police said.
Officers thoroughly searched the campus and surrounding areas, finding no threats or weapons, the department added. The lockdown was lifted about 3:28 p.m. and students returned to their regular schedules.
The Elgin Police Department emphasized that all threats, even false ones, are taken seriously and will be fully investigated. Appropriate action will be taken as necessary, according to the department.
“Families must understand the seriousness of posting, sharing and making threats,” Rueter added. “Students can face disciplinary action, even for non-credible threats. Any individual, including students and parents, can also be arrested and charged with various offenses related to creating and sharing these threats, including the spread of misinformation or crime of making a terroristic threat.”
The district stated that it maintains close communication with local law enforcement, and that parents who have concerns or information regarding school safety or any potential threat should contact campus administration immediately.
“The safety and security of our students, campuses, faculty and staff are our highest priority,” Rueter said.
