In an unfolding incident at Northeast Early College High School in Austin, an Austin Independent School District (ISD) police officer was shot in the leg during an “altercation” on Tuesday morning. The campus is currently on lockdown, and authorities are searching for the suspect.
According to a city source, the shooting occurred near the football field, prompting the Austin Police Department’s response. The school was placed on lockdown earlier in the day after gunshots were heard in the vicinity.
Austin-Travis County EMS transported the injured officer to a local trauma center at approximately 10:44 a.m. The officer’s injuries are reported to be non-life-threatening.
Lockdown
Austin ISD took to Twitter to communicate the lockdown, urging everyone to avoid the campus. The school district later posted on social media that the officer sustained injuries during an altercation in the parking lot. Attempts to obtain more information from the school district were not immediately successful, and the Austin Police Department deferred comments to the school district.
As of 12:45 p.m., the campus remains on lockdown, although the district assured that it is “safe.” A controlled release of students is set to begin around 2 p.m., with families instructed to pick up their children at the Delco Activity Center, located at 4601 Pecan Brook Drive. Parents are requested to stay in their cars and bring identification.
Students without a family member to pick them up will be transported home by bus.
Impact on Nearby Facilities
The nearby Permitting and Development Center, located just over a mile west of the high school, has been locked down as a result of the incident. Appointments are advised to be rescheduled, and the duration of the lockdown remains undetermined.
Families
Concerned parents gathered at a gas station near the school, seeking information and attempting to reunite with their children. Some expressed frustration at the lack of immediate communication from the school district. Families stood along Berkman Drive, waiting to pick up their children, while others rushed to the scene upon learning of the incident.
As the situation unfolds, parents grapple with the fear and uncertainty surrounding their children’s safety, emphasizing the challenges of trusting the school system amidst such incidents.
