HCSO unable to locate armed subject at Mckinleyville High

 

HCSO posted this on Facebook and Twitter half an hour ago. According to posts on social media and on the HCSO Facebook page, families and staff were notified and the high school was on lockdown was lifted after an hour. HCSO Lt. Josh McCall's issued a press release later with more details which include that while campuses were being cleared, law enforcement received additional information that the armed male had not entered the high school as initially reported. 

11/29: Once again, families of students at Mckinleyville High and other schools got got a text and notification that there was an armed suspect on campus.  Schools were briefly placed on lockdown. Law enforcement responded, repeat of yesterday. Lockdown lifted. HCSO press release added to the post.

HCSO Press Release:

On 11/28/2023, at about 11:25 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of McKinleyville High School for the report of male subject, possibly armed with holstered handgun on his waist, entering the high school campus.

As HCSO deputies responded to the area, McKinleyville High School administration was contacted to be advised of the report. Both McKinleyville High School and neighboring Morris Elementary School campuses were placed on lockdown by school administrators as a precaution. Deputies, with assistance of officers from the California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, and Blue Lake Tribal Police began checking the area as contact was made with school officials.

As campuses were being cleared by law enforcement, additional information was received that indicated the possibly armed subject had been witnessed near the intersection of Hwy. 101 and Murray Road and had not been observed entering the high school campus as the initial report was believed to indicate.

After a thorough check of the area and campus, law enforcement was unable to locate the suspicious subject or identify any threat to the students, staff, or neighboring area.

The HCSO would like to thank the allied law enforcement agencies that responded to assist as well as the administration of both schools for their quick response in working to ensure the safety of their students and staff.

HCSO Press Release (11/29):

On 11/29/2023 at about 08:57 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a male subject standing in front of the entrance of McKinleyville High School who was reported to have a gun. The high school went on lockdown and remained in lockdown while law enforcement arrived and conducted a protective sweep and conducted their investigation.

Deputies and other law enforcement officers searched the area but were unable to locate anyone matching the description that was given. At this time there is no threat to the school and the school is no longer in lockdown.

The incident is currently under investigation. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Wildlife, and California State Parks for their quick response and assistance.