Unfounded Threat Prompts Brief Lockdowns At 2 Palo Alto Schools

PALO ALTO, CA — Reports of a threat that was ultimately determined to be unfounded prompted brief "shelter-in-place" orders Monday at two Palo Alto schools, according to police.

Police said officers were investigating an unconfirmed threat at Gunn High School a few minutes after 2:30 p.m. School officials at nearby Fletcher Middle School put a shelter-in-place in effect as a precautionary measure, officials said.

According to the police department, officers completed a methodical search of Gunn High School to verify there were no threats to safety and completed the sweep in time to allow for students to be released at their normal time. Police said the staffers at Fletcher lifted the shelter-in-place earlier in the day, and there was never a threat directed at the middle school.

"We thank everyone for their patience; we know these events can be extremely stressful for all involved," the department said on social media.

Officials said they would share more details on the investigation when possible.