UPDATE: Austin High School lockdown lifted; police investigating ‘security concern’

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE (2:25 p.m.): The lockdown at Austin High School has been lifted. According to a statement on the Austin Public Schools Facebook page, the high school was on lockdown from 12:06 p.m. to 1:59 p.m. due to a security concern.

According to the Austin Police Department, a school resource officer assigned to Austin High School requested additional help due to a report of a firearm that had possibly been brandished at the school.

“To be a child these days growing up, trying to go through school, I mean it’s scary,” Glenn Brownlow, who has a family member that works at the high school, said.

It’s just the latest threat against students in southeastern Minensota and across the country.

Wednesday, rumors of a gun inside the high school forced students and staff to go into lockdown while back-up was requested to the scene.

Dozens of empty police cars surrounding the building while officers combed inside.

Parents saw the scene unfolding and immediately drove to the school, not having any answers about what was happening or if their child was okay.

“I’m scared. I don’t know what happened, I called into the school and nobody answered,” Elaine Carballosa, who has a son that attends AHS.

While this isn’t the first threat, it still has many concerned every time they see officers strapped with guns and heading inside.

“Concerned, you know, I hope nobody is hurt or anything serious happened here.”

The lockdown lasting about two hours, two students being escorted out of the building by police, but no confirmation on where that gun is or if it was ever really there.

Students heading home after the incident say although the situation is scary, they are used to it.

“This has already happened before, the third time, and nothing really happened. We’re used to being on lockdown,” Jorge Hernandez Silba, a freshman, said.

In an email, Superintendent Joey Page says that the district will be reviewing its safety plans following the incident.

School will be online Thursday for Austin High School students, due to an apparent “HVAC” issue, according to an email from the district to parents.

Austin Police and the Mower County Sheriff’s Office worked with the school to investigate the matter. During the on-site investigation, the school enacted their standard response protocol.

Austin Police say they are not aware of anyone being injured and continue to investigate whether or not a firearm was present. They confirm it was not a swatting incident.

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(ABC 6 News) – Austin High School is on lockdown due to a security concern, according to a statement from Austin Public Schools superintendent, Joey Page.

The statement below was sent out just after 12:30 p.m. to the parents and guardians of students. Law enforcement and emergency responders are on scene.

An ABC 6 News reporter on scene spoke with Austin Police Chief David McKichan who said a call came into police shortly before noon about an incident at the school. No exact specifics were given, but police don’t believe it’s a swatting incident. An investigation is underway with the high school. Two boys have also been arrested.

There are at least a dozen law enforcement vehicles at the school consisting of the Austin Police Department, Mower County Sheriff’s Office and unmarked cars.

ABC 6 News will provide additional information when it becomes available.