COLORADO SPRINGS – New information this afternoon on a scare at Harrison High School. News5 has learned the loaded magazine found on campus was from a handgun.
After everyone was cleared from the building early this afternoon, another search was taken place to find any additional evidence of a firearm, ammunition or firearm accessories in the building.
Harrison High School announced it would dismiss at 1 p.m. Wednesday after a staff member found the magazine at the school.
After the discovery all students and staff were told to stay inside their first period classrooms where they remained until the all clear was given before noon.
The district said its security team and police were called to search the building as well as students and staff. The Colorado Springs Police Department will handle the investigation.
District 2 said it will have increased security at Harrison High School for the rest of the week as a precaution. The school will have a normal schedule Thursday.
The principal says parents should feel safe and comfortable that the staff can manage a safe and secure environment. However, if parents decide to keep their children home it will be treated as an excused absence.
In a letter sent to parents, the district encouraged parents to talk with their children about the incident and urged them to report possible threats.
A parent told the media this afternoon she was very upset she dropped her child off late to school and was not informed there was a lockout and became angrier when she could not pick her student up.
That’s all part of protocol for school safety. A spokesperson says multiple notifications went out to parents via telephone and electronic media keeping them up to date. She encouraged all parents to make sure they are signed up for these messages.
