McKay High School lockdown lifted following reports of student with gun on campus
Updated Wednesday at 2:15 p.m.
The lockdown at McKay High School in Salem has been lifted. Families will be notified about this incident via ParentSqaure as soon as possible, district officials said at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday.
At about 11:30 a.m., multiple Salem police officers responded to a report of an armed person on the McKay campus.
Just after noon, Salem-Keizer Public Schools announced on Twitter that McKay was on lockdown after a report of a weapon on campus. All students and staff are safe and there are no injuries, district officials reported at about 1 p.m.
Lt. Treven Upkes with the Salem Police Department told the Statesman Journal that law enforcement responded to the school but did not find anyone armed.
McKay HS is currently in a lockdown after a report of a weapon on campus. We are currently working closely with law enforcement to investigate this incident. There are no injuries and all students and staff inside the building are safe.
— salemkeizer (@salemkeizer) November 17, 2021
Officers determined no weapon was ever seen. They did, however, identify several students involved and interviewed them regarding the incident, according to police.
"No weapons were found. No arrests were made. The students were released to school administrators," police reported. "Contrary to postings on social media, no shots were fired on or near the campus."
Principal Ranae Quiring sent a letter to parents notifying them of the incident and commending students and staff for how they responded to the event.
"McKay High School remains a safe place for students. I also want to recognize our students who did the right thing and reported their concerns to our office," she wrote. "I want to take this opportunity to remind us all of the role we play in keeping our schools safe."
The lockdown comes on the heels of an Adam Stephens Middle School student being arrested Monday after bringing a gun to school, according to police. A separate student at the same school was found to be in possession of a knife.
Officers reportedly took possession of the firearm and transported the student to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Facility on suspicion of menacing, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in a public building.
Firearms at school: Student with gun arrested at Salem middle school, second student brings knife
Principal David Wood credited students with quickly reporting the gun after they saw it.
Salem Police officials said they take all reports of threats on a school campus seriously. It is essential to report any information about a safety threat or potential act of violence at a school to police or school administration, they said.
Tips can also be submitted through SafeOregon through their online reporting system, by phone or text to 844-472-3367, or via e-mail at tip@safeoregon.com.
Contact reporter Natalie Pate at npate@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6745, Twitter @NataliePateGwin, or Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist.
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This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: McKay High School lockdown lifted following reports of a gun on campus
