On Thursday, DeSoto High School was placed on lockdown amid safety concerns following an incident involving multiple students and a non-district student, according to a statement released by the district.
The incident unfolded as a one-on-one altercation occurred on the school’s premises.
Security staff at the high school intervened and caught sight of a non-district student on school property.
Reacting in accordance with safety protocols, the campus was swiftly placed on lockdown, according to the district.
The school resource officers (SROs) and district security personnel searched the campus and located and detained all individuals involved in the altercation, including the non-district student.
After the students who were involved in the incident were detained, the school moved into a lockout.
The district said there will be extra security on the campus for the foreseeable future.
“Heightened security presence will be maintained throughout the remainder of the day and the duration of the academic year including campus at entry points around the building to prevent future recurrence of this matter, a statement alert by the district read.
“Safety is a collaborative, community effort. Thank you to our students who observed the concern and reported it to the staff for quick and immediate resolution. As a result, all students remained safe. Because of this, district safety protocols were quickly enacted significantly reducing any safety risks to students or staff,” the statement continued.
If you believe someone may pose a threat to themselves or others to an administrator, teacher, or security staff member, you can file a report anonymously.
Alternatively, you can also submit the information via email to report@stayalert.info or call or text +1.206.406.6485.
I was present at DeSoto High School on Thursday when the lockdown happened, and I must say it was a tense experience. The school’s response to the altercation between students was swift and organized, which helped alleviate some of my initial fear. It wasn’t just about safety; it was also comforting to see faculty members actively involved in ensuring everyone’s well-being. While the situation itself was unfortunate, I appreciated how quickly they communicated with everyone about what was going on. It gave me confidence that they were taking the matter seriously. Overall, I’m thankful for the staff’s professionalism amidst a chaotic moment.