Students sheltered in classrooms and police swarmed Akins Early College High School in South Austin on Wednesday morning after a report that three students were in a bathroom possibly in possession of a handgun.
Law enforcement ended up finding two magazines, including one loaded with 380-caliber ammunition. However, after a search, no firearm was found.
At a media briefing, Austin Independent School District Police Chief Ashley Gonzalez said, “We determined the identify of the three individuals that were seen in the bathroom. As the investigation continued the students were located in different classrooms and isolated from the rest of the student population.”
“At some point it was discovered that one of the students had in his possession two magazines. One magazine had ammunition and so the investigation continued and it was a lengthy lockdown during that time.”
Asked about why no handgun had been found, Gonzalez said, “The areas of concern were searched and we will continue to go over different areas… We’re confident that the three individuals involved had been isolated and that they’d been checked for weapons; they were not in possession of weapons.”
He added, “I’m very thankful to say that no shots were fired… at all times students were safe and staff were safe.” School resource officers were on site when the incident happened, according to Gonzalez.
None of the students has yet been detained, according to Gonzalez, but he noted that none of them will be on campus tomorrow.
