UPDATE: After reports of gunfire being heard just before 9 a.m. Friday morning (Feb. 16), and a lockdown on the Highline College campus, Des Moines Police reports that an initial investigation indicates that there was no active shooter on campus.

Police followed up with a secondary sweep of the campus, and an ‘all clear’ was announced at 11:38 a.m.

The first alert went out at 8:55 a.m., advising all “to lock down all offices and classrooms until further notice.”

A huge police response resulted, with roads around the campus closed – including southbound I-5 for a while – and heavily armed police slowly sweeping the campus, building to building.

Later reports indicate that the actual cause of the “gunfire” may have been fireworks.

Classes were canceled for the rest of the day.

Here’s information released by the Des Moines Police Department:

On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 at about 8:52 a.m., the Des Moines Police Department received multiple reports of shots being fired at Highline College.

Initially there were conflicting reports as to the exact location of the reported shots on campus.

The entire campus was put into lockdown at 8:57 a.m.

First responders from multiple law enforcement agencies, federal & state agencies, along with fire and emergency medical service personnel responded to the call. The first officers arriving at the campus did an initial sweep of the campus and did not locate a shooter, any victims or evidence of a shooting.

SWAT units from multiple agencies searched every building on the campus to look for any potential victims.

The lockdown was lifted at about 11:45 a.m.

The Des Moines Police Department will continue to investigate this incident.

If you were on campus and saw or heard anything, you are asked to contact Des Moines Police at (206) 878-3301. If you would like to contact Highline College. send en mail to communications@highline.edu.

“We have completed our search and have not located any injuries or indications of a shooting. We are working with Highline CC to remove lockdown and the investigation into the initial call will continue,” Kent Police Tweeted at 11:49 a.m. “Thank you for your patience.”

Police also announced that Parents can re-unify with students in the Lowes parking lot on Pacific Highway.

UPDATE: South King Fire reports that – as of 9:59 a.m. – “There are no known victims at HCC.”

“This is not a drill. Close doors, close windows. Police are responding to campus. Do not come to campus if you are on your way. More details to come”

From: <Alerts@highline.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Subject: Lockdown – This is not a drill
To: cwudm-student-announce@mailman.highline.edu, alerts@highline.edu, cwudm-announce@mailman.highline.edu

We have reports of gunfire on campus. Please lock down all offices and classrooms until further notice.

From: <Alerts@highline.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:10 AM
Subject: Lockdown: This is not a drill
To: cwudm-student-announce@mailman.highline.edu, alerts@highline.edu, cwudm-announce@mailman.highline.edu

Lockdown: This is not a drill. Close doors, close windows. Police are responding to campus. Do not come to campus if you are on your way. More details to come.

From: <Alerts@highline.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown – This is not a drill
To: cwudm-student-announce@mailman.highline.edu, alerts@highline.edu, cwudm-announce@mailman.highline.edu

All Buildings need to remain in lockdown. Barricade doors and windows. Police are responding and we will have further details shortly.

From: <Alerts@highline.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:26 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown – This is not a drill
To: cwudm-student-announce@mailman.highline.edu, alerts@highline.edu, cwudm-announce@mailman.highline.edu

Police are responding and evacuating buildings. Remain in lockdown position. We will update you as further details become available. This is an unfolding situation.

From: <Alerts@highline.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:57 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown – This is not a drill
To: cwudm-student-announce@mailman.highline.edu, alerts@highline.edu, cwudm-announce@mailman.highline.edu

Police are clearing buildings. Please remain in lockdown until police have cleared your building. Parents can re-unify with students in the Lowes parking lot of Pacific Highway.

From: <Alerts@highline.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown
To: cwudm-student-announce@mailman.highline.edu, alerts@highline.edu, cwudm-announce@mailman.highline.edu

Students and employees should remained in lockdown while buildings are being evacuated by law enforcement. Classes are cancelled for Friday, Feb. 16. For reunification, please meet students in Lowe’s parking lot on 24050 Pacific Highway.

https://youtu.be/vDI6_5cekoY

Related posts

Local Students earn cash, kudos in Highline College Poetry Contest Josh Gerstman chosen as Vice President for Highline College Kent’s Dr. Saovra Ear named interim V.P. at Highline College

Scott Schaefer

Founder/Publisher/Editor. Three-time National Emmy Award winning Writer (“Bill Nye the Science Guy”), Director, Producer, Journalist and more...