Authorities place Gilbert high school on lockdown due to bomb threat
Dec 3, 2018, 7:57 AM | Updated: 12:27 pm
(Google Maps screenshot)
PHOENIX — An East Valley high school was put on lockdown early Monday morning due to an unsubstantiated bomb threat, police said.
Sgt. Bill Balafas with the Gilbert Police Department said authorities closed down Highland High School after receiving the threat around 7 a.m.
The lockdown was lifted around 12:30 p.m. Police said the school was “clear and safe” and that no suspicious devices were found.
Thank you to @GilbertFireDept, @MesaPD, @ASUPolice, @mcsoaz for your help in searching Highland High. No suspicious devices were found. We will continue to investigate the source of this threat. https://t.co/pZnnDWL24N
— Gilbert Police Chief (@GilbertPDChief) December 3, 2018
Students who were already at the school, which is located near Guadalupe and Recker roads, were transported to Highland Junior High School as police continued to investigate.
Parents can pick up students from Highland Junior High School, which is located near Guadalupe and Power roads, before 12:30 p.m. The schools are about a mile from each other.
Gilbert police said students could return to Highland High School to pick up their belongings between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Buses will start taking students home at 1:30 p.m.
The students were initially expected to be relocated to Gilbert High School, but had to be relocated to Highland Junior High School due to a power outage at the high school.
No additional information was released. Gilbert police continued to investigate the source of the threat.