Springfield Elementary School Lifts Lockdown After False Alarm

Description: The Baca County Sheriff Released the Following Report Regarding a Possible Armed Male at the Elementary School on April 9, 2024...

Springfield Elementary School Lifts Lockdown After False Alarm

On 04/09/2024 at approximately 1313 hours, the Baca County Sheriff’s Office and the Springfield Police Department responded to a possible armed male near the Springfield Elementary School. The caller reported that an individual wearing a blue shirt and jeans was seen walking through the school grounds with what he described as a “sniper pistol”. From the information provided by the caller, the possible armed male continued west on 4th Avenue away from the school.  Law enforcement contacted the schools and advised to initiate a lock down procedure.  Within minutes, multiple law enforcement officers from both agencies cleared the area around the school for threats. Law enforcement then began a canvas of the school property and buildings for the safety of the staff and children, including protective patrols inside the school structures.

The investigation by law enforcement and their communication with observant citizens led to the identification of a local male seen in the area who had been wearing similar clothing as described by the caller. Immediate contact was made with the suspect at his residence. The suspect denied any weapon possession but stated that he had walked through the school grounds with tools necessary to retrieve the keys that had accidently been locked in his girlfriend’s vehicle. The suspect’s statements were confirmed through other individuals involved in the incident.  

The initial caller confirmed that the suspect identified in this case was the same person he reported to the Baca County Dispatch Center. The caller at that time then admitted that that he wasn’t positive that it was a weapon that he had seen in the suspect’s hands at the time of the report but it might have looked like one.  Law enforcement believes that the initial caller was acting in good faith and was not intentionally making a false report. 

Within 45 minutes of the initial report, school officials were informed of the results of the investigation and that the lockdown could be lifted. Law enforcement would like to thank the school staff for their cooperation and for the swift lockdown while law enforcement ensured the safety of the children, staff and community.

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