14 DAY TRIAL // A “weapon complaint” has prompted authorities to close down a Minnesota middle school today, Wednesday, March 20.
Someone called the police department to express concern about an “active shooter” at the school, prompting a lockdown and an investigation on its grounds.
The incident took place in the town of New Prague as classes started in the morning, the Star Tribune reported.
The caller signaled an alleged shooting in which someone brought in an AK-47 weapon and injured two people in one of the classrooms.
According to a school district spokesperson, a “code red” was issued as officers scoured the premises, in lack of more information on the alleged shooter. Police announced a search of all the schools in the district at that point.
“[We are] in the process of trying to clear all the schools. [...] We have not come across any injuries,” Scott County Sheriff Kevin Studnicka explained at around 8:30 a.m., according to International Business Times.
At around 9 a.m., Lana Knoke, working at the middle school told reporters that the lockdown was just a precautionary measure.
“All students and staff are safe. [...] Officers are checking every room. [...] Nothing else is going on. We are just in a lockdown, and the officers are checking the building,” Knoke detailed.
At around 9.30 a.m., school staff informed parents via voice-mail messages that they would be canceling classes for the rest of the day.
“I was able to speak with him briefly. [...] He seemed OK, but they don’t know what’s going on,” mother Shawna Scott described about talking to her son, an eighth-grader.
However, the local Sheriff's Department informs that they haven't found anything suspicious at the institution.
“We are giving the all clear in New Prague,” the Sheriff said in a statement at approximately 10 a.m.