Students and staff placed in after-school lockdown at Copiague high and middle schools
According to the schools superintendent, no weapon was recovered.
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A feeling of fear hit parents in the Copiague School District Thursday when they heard about a lockdown at the high school.
“I don't feel safe about it. I don't want to send them to school tomorrow," said a mother.
According to the schools superintendent, at around 3:40 p.m., a student reported seeing someone outside Copiague High School, who may have been in possession of a firearm.
One student told News 12 what he saw.
“We’re all at Wendy’s … he had a tan bag … He was standing in front of the school, and we saw him with his bag as well," he said.
According to the schools superintendent, no weapon was recovered.
Suffolk County police say there were no injuries.
Students say they were relieved the lockdown happened after school.
“If this happened during school hours, when we don't have our phones, there is no way we can communicate with our parents,” said a student.
Copiague School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon released the following statement:
“At approximately 3:40 p.m. today, a student entered the high school and reported seeing an individual outside who may have been in possession of a firearm. Out of an abundance of caution, both Copiague Middle School and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School were immediately placed on lockdown.
Members of the Suffolk County Police Department were quickly on site and actively investigated the situation. Both buildings had already been dismissed for the day; however, students and staff who remained for after-school activities and athletic events were safe in secure locations.
Working closely with law enforcement, the perimeter of the building was secured as well as the interior. Law enforcement did a thorough search of the building and a thorough investigation. The persons involved were detained by law enforcement and no weapon was recovered. When the building was deemed secure by Suffolk County Police Department, students and staff were released.
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. If at any moment you find that your child could benefit from someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor or one of our psychologists. Both the Copiague Middle School and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School will have staff members ready to assist our students tomorrow.”
