Report of Teens With Rifle Forces Lockdown of Two Schools

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A report of two arned teenagers in the back of an elementary school in Manassas Park forced the lockdown of that school and another elementary school on Tuesday afternoon, according to city police.

There were no reports of injuries to students or school personnel as a result of the incident, the city police said. At about 4 p.m., the two 17-year-olds had been located and taken into custody.

In a post Wednesday on the school system’s Facebook page, the administration of the Manassas Park City Schools thanked the police officers who responded to the incident. The administration also thanked parents, “who, though worried about the safety of their children, followed the [school system’s] guidance as it was issued and patiently waited for students to be released. We are grateful for our amazing MPCS families.”

At about 3:06 p.m. Monday, the Manassas Park police responded to Cougar Elementary School to investigate a report of two armed suspicious persons, the police department said in a press release.

Witnesses reported seeing two male juveniles near the rear of the school, in possession of what appeared to be a rifle with a scope attached. A bus driver noticed the individuals approaching the rear of the school just before the dismissal of classes, police said.

As a precaution, Cougar and Manassas Park elementary schools were placed on lockdown, police said. Along with the Manassas Park police, units from the Manassas City Police Department, Prince William County Police Department and Prince William County Sheriff’s Office secured the schools and searched the surrounding area for the suspects.

Both elementary schools were searched and secured, and released from lockdown at about 5:01 p.m.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, School Board Chair Brenda Foster asked parents to not come to either school to pick up their children. “To ensure that every child gets where they’re supposed to be, we will be sending them home through normal channels--buses, daycare, etc.,” according to Foster.

School buses received a police escort home, and parents who normally pick up their children were allowed to pick them up after the buses left.

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