SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Lockdowns at two Scottsdale schools have been lifted after Scottsdale police investigated reports of an armed person on campus at Cactus Shadows High School.
Police say a student from Cactus Shadows reported to the school's resource officer that they saw another school-aged boy with a handgun.
The person was described as wearing dark clothing, walking with a limp, and carrying what looked like a revolver, police said.
The officer then alerted the Scottsdale Police Department who responded immediately and placed Cactus Shadows and nearby Black Mountain Elementary on lockdown.
Officers then searched the school for any threats.
During the search, police were unable to locate a person matching the description relayed to them.
After several hours of searching, police deemed the school safe and lifted the lockdowns at both schools.
An investigation remains ongoing.
The schools are located near Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway.
During the incident, police sent out this message, "It is important that parents and non-essential personnel DO NOT go to the schools at this time."
Officers and detectives continue to search the Cactus Shadows campus to secure it. There were recent reports the "suspect" was at a door of the 300 blg. That was verified to be one of OUR search team members ensuring the door was locked. https://t.co/CJxBko4Bf2
— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) December 2, 2022
"The initial search of the campus is complete. No suspects have been located at this time. Officers are beginning secondary searches and are still on campus. Both campuses remain in lockdown," police have since said.
ABC15 aerial footage shows police escorting students out of a building at Cactus Shadow High School. Authorities could be seen pulling chairs and desks out that were barricaded inside the door.
“She said they saw a lot of swat outside of the window and they were walking towards the math building,” said mom, Samantha Laitinen, while on the phone with her daughter.
“So she, they, barricaded the door, the front door with desks. They barricaded the windows with the desks. Her and some friends are hiding behind a Christmas tree that’s in the classroom just waiting for instructions,” Laitinen said.
“I thought it was a drill at first,” said student, Tucker Johnson.
“Everyone where I was was kind of calm which was surprising to me. I didn’t think it would be like that,” she said.
“From a parental aspect, I don’t think there’s a worse call that you can get,” said Tucker’s dad, David Johnson. “I had one mission today, and that was to get my daughter, and one of the parents when I was walking out said, 'Mission accomplished' and I said, ‘Indeed!’”
Students said they also do active shooter drills and that helped them remain calm during Friday’s ordeal.
Please say one student was treated for an unrelated medical condition at the school.
