Modified lock down – one arrest at SFHS

According to the ISD 15 website, the high school underwent modified lock down in the afternoon on December 9. Students and faculty were kept in their classrooms while the building was searched. One arrest was made and the threat was cleared around 2:45.

“As of this time, no device has been found. A male student who is a juvenile has been taken into custody for Terroristic Threats,” stated an Anoka County Sheriff’s Office press release. ” The case is under investigation by the St. Francis Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.”

As soon as the threat was detected, SFHS went into security mode, enforcing a modified lock down.

The following message appeared on the ISD 15 website:

“This afternoon, St. Francis High School is dealing with a situation regarding a threat toward the high school The high school is currently in a modified lock down as a precautionary procedure. During a modified lock down, all students and staff are to remain indoors. Exterior doors are locked, but movement within the classroom is permitted. Administrators and police are currently investigating the situation. More information will be made available,” the site stated.

Although students at the Middle School were not aware that a modified lock down was going on at the high school, younger students who walk to the high school reported that Assistant Principal Bobbi Hume met a large group of students at the high school, explained the situation to them and helped them to buses which blocked the entrances to the parking lot at the high school, where they waited until the lock down was lifted. Witnesses reported police officers from St. Francis, Ramsey and Anoka County, as well as fire trucks and a canine unit.

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Once the threat had been cleared, students were allowed to leave their classrooms and board their buses and middle schoolers were allowed to enter the building. School officials said, although activities and events would continue after school, anyone without an express reason to be in the building would need to leave.

At 3:14, the district site posted a new announcement.

“The modified lock down at St. Francis High School has been canceled. High school and middle school students boarded buses about a half hour later than normal. Students in the elementary buildings will board buses at 4:15 p.m. Parents should expect delays from 30 to 50 minutes from normal home arrival time,” it stated.

The Crier will have more information as it becomes available. The Crier has also posted on its Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Francis-Crier-Newspaper/150754851670160 and its Twitter feed @sfhscrier.

Here are some links to more coverage:

Anoka County Sheriff’s Office: http://www.anokacountysheriff.us/

Anoka County Union: http://abcnewspapers.com/2011/12/09/threat-forces-st-francis-high-school-to-lock-down/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ABCNewspapers+%28RSS+abcnewspapers.com%29

WCCO TV: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/12/09/1-arrested-in-st-francis-high-school-lockdown/#.TuJ9OSPC1vw.twitter