Waukee High School and Prairieview lockdown: What we know about ‘armed person threat’

Waukee High School and the nearby Prairieview School in Iowa were placed under an external lockdown on Friday morning after authorities received a report of a person carrying a weapon outside the high school.

However, officials later confirmed that there was no active threat to students or staff, and no injuries were reported.

The Waukee Police Department said officers and additional emergency responders were sent to the area to investigate the report and check the surroundings.

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“THERE IS NO ACTIVE THREAT AT THIS TIME,” stated the Waukee Police Department in a Facebook update.

The Waukee Community School District informed families at around 8:35 a.m. that Waukee High School and Prairieview had been placed under lockdown “as a precaution” following a “potential threat off-property near Waukee High School.”

The lockdown was not initiated because of an active attack inside either school

Waukee Police Chief Chad McCluskey said that the police “thoroughly investigated” the situation and “This response went exactly as we planned.”

“Waukee Community School District personnel and Waukee Police Department personnel worked seamlessly to ensure the safety of our kids, the safety of our community, and to support timely information sharing to help reduce anxiety associated with this incident.”

What happened during the Waukee lockdown?

Under the district’s external lockdown procedures, normal classes continued inside the buildings. However, students and staff were not permitted to enter or leave the affected schools, while visitors were also barred from entering.

Families were asked not to travel to the schools while police were investigating the reported weapon sighting.

Meanwhile, the district said all other schools continued to operate normally.

Notably, the lockdown remained in place for roughly 90 minutes as police conducted their investigation. At 9:15 a.m., the lockdown was lifted after officers completed checks of the area.

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Waukee police sent a message to parents around 9:20 a.m, noting, “The Waukee Police Department thoroughly investigated the situation, including areas inside and outside our buildings, and determined there is no threat to student safety,” authorities stated in a message to parents sent around 9:20 a.m. “All schools will operate as normal today.”

“We appreciate the quick response of our local law enforcement. Thank you to our families, staff, and students for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact us at [info@waukeeschools.org](mailto:info@waukeeschools.org),” the school thanked in their later post.