DeSoto High School was placed on lockdown Thursday after a non-district student brought a firearm on campus, according to the district.
Security personnel at the school were able to detain the suspect promptly because students were utilizing the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.
Campus security and administrators were able to find the concealed weapon as the suspect was allegedly fighting with another student.
“While district security personnel were able to quickly de-escalate a security matter and detain those involved, security personnel discovered a concealed weapon on the person of the non-district student involved,” an updated statement from DeSoto ISD read.
It is not yet clear how the suspect was able to bring the weapon into the school.
Already this year, there have been multiple shooting incidents at North Texas area schools that have left multiple people injured and at least one person deceased.
Dallas Independent School District’s Roosevelt High School was the subject of a shooting after two high school football players were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting.
The incident occurred while the students were riding home from practice with their coach.
Classes were canceled the following day “due to a credible threat.”
Wilmer Hutchins High School was placed on lockdown on April 12 after a 17-year-old suspect shot and injured another student after bringing a gun on campus.
District officials cited “human error” in how the firearm was able to be allowed on campus.
In Arlington at Bowie High School towards the end of April, police arrested 17-year-old Julian Howard and charged him with one count of murder in the death of 18-year-old Etavion Barnes.
In response to the incident, the district is enhancing security measures for the remainder of the school year.
Increased Security
- No backpacks are allowed on campus for all secondary students starting May 13 through the end of the school year.
- Heightened security presence including increased rotation throughout the building
- DeSoto PD will increase patrol for dismissal.
Uniforms are a safety measure and help ID intruders
- All scholars are required to be in full uniform through the last day of school.
- Students who are not in uniform will be placed in a holding area and asked to contact a parent to bring a change of clothing.
- Students who are unable to obtain uniforms will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the school day
Student Work Release
- High school students on early work release will be asked to sign out of the main office entry at door one
Additional Staff and Volunteer Support
- Additional staff will push in at the high school during lunch and other times of high traffic to assist with monitoring.
- For parents and community members interested in supporting the close of a safe school year, please register to volunteer via the district’s Voly platform at https://desotoisd.voly.org/
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.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.