DeKalb High School lockdown lifted after reports of gun in building, no weapon found, police say

DeKALB - DeKalb High School was on lockdown briefly Thursday morning after police responded to a report of a gun in the school, though no weapon was found, said Police Chief David Byrd.

According to a DeKalb School District 428 statement, administrators were informed at approximately 8:15 a.m. of an incident where a student stated that he brought a weapon to school.

“Police were immediately notified, students were placed on hard lockdown and several students were interviewed about the incident by police,” the statement reads. “During their preliminary investigation at the school, police determined the student was never in possession of weapons at school this morning and that there was no threat to students’ or staff members’ safety.”

Byrd said as of 9:30 a.m. the all clear was given and the lockdown lifted. He said the report of a gun in the building came through the school.

“School resource officers acted swiftly upon notification,” Byrd said.

DeKalb Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez said Thursday that within minutes, “the situation was under under control as the school and police did their due diligence for the safety of students and staff.”

“We are very grateful and relieved that we had an all clear soon thereafter,” she said.

Garcia-Sanchez said that the school has a modified schedule for the remainder of the day “with as much normalcy as possible.”

“It is our hope and dream that something like this never happens again, but if it does, we have to be prepared,” she said. “We have all kinds of processes and procedures at all of our schools, so that when something like this happens, we move quickly and are prepared to handle the situation.”

DeKalb High School will offer services, including a social worker and counselor, to students after today’s events.

“It’s really scary, whether you’re inside or outside the school building, and the social-emotional effects can be very taxing,” Garcia-Sanchez said.

The school district statement also commended students for coming forward and telling adults about any possible dangerous situation that may occur.

“If you or your child ever witness or hear about a weapon brought onto school property or a threat made against the school, please report the information to the school officials immediately,” the statement reads. “Together, we can become a school community that is informed, alert and ready to keep our students safe.”

This story has been updated as of 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 with additional comment from Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez.