Report of Gunman Briefly Locks Down Hamden High School

Hamden High School was briefly locked down this morning after the school received an anonymous call around 8 a.m. reporting that an armed person had entered the rear of the building.

Immediately upon receipt of that information, school officials instituted the appropriate safety protocols, beginning with a complete lockdown, Hamden High School Principal Gary Highsmith wrote on the school’s website.

Both the high school and middle school resource officers, as well as all security guards and Highsmith did a sweep of the entire building.

Hamden Police officers responded immediately and surrounded the school and did an external sweep, while several additional officers completed a second sweep of the interior of the building, according to Highsmith.

Highsmith said there is no evidence that any person with a weapon entered the building.

“This was not a drill, and it is critical that we treat all lockdowns as if they are real,” Highsmith wrote. “As with any threat, we immediately take all necessary actions to assure the safety of all students and staff.

“I want to thank our HHS community for following our safety protocols to perfection. Our collective safety depends on each one us following these protocols and looking out for one another. I am proud of our response today.”

Hamden police are investigating the incident.

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