Armed Person Prompting High School Lockdown Detained: Austin PD

NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — A suspect is in custody after police were called to Lanier High School in North Austin about an armed individual, which prompted a lockdown at the site.

The school was placed in lockdown amid reports of a person with a gun, possibly a student, fleeing from the area after attempts to have the individual detained, police said.

The Austin Police Department worked with their Austin ISD counterparts in searching for the person who was ultimately placed in custody. A perimeter was set up, and a police helicopter was dispatched to search the area for the suspect.

Police reported the incident at the Lanier campus, 120 Payton Gin Rd., just before 1 p.m., but said the initial request for assistance came in just past the noon hour. The site is at Fairfield Drive and New Hampshire Drive, police noted.

"This is an active situation and Lanier HS is currently on lock-down," police said via Twitter. "All students and staff are safe and though AISD is asking families to avoid the area and updates will be provided as they become available."

Later, just before 1:30 p.m., district officials announced a return to normal school activities once the threat ended:

It's unclear if the individual now in custody is a student at the school. The Austin Police Department scheduled a 1:30 p.m. press briefing with reporters to amplify on the incident, and Patch will update as more details are known.

Get Patch's Daily Newsletters and Real Time Alerts

>>> Image via Shutterstock