SAFFORD — Safford Police are reporting they are unable to confirm an actual threat that caused Safford schools and area preschools to go into lockdown Friday.
Safford High School was locked down and Police notified at 8 a.m. Friday, following social media posts by students, who said an unidentified individual was heard removing clothing and cycling a handgun in the male restroom. Another social media post said the poster witnessed the person with a handgun earlier in the morning.
Officers searched the school and interviewed students, but could find no corroborating evidence of a student with a weapon or a threat.
High School students were escorted to a reunification area at the Safford Bus Barn and released. Other area schools were taken off lockdown and resumed normal classes, with students released for the day at the normal time.
“The Safford Police Department would like to thank our partner agencies for their rapid response and continued support,” Safford Police Chief Brian Avila said in a prepared statement. “We would also like to thank the students and faculty at the Safford Schools. Their response to this incident was controlled and orderly allowing us to operate in an efficient manner. It was commendable of our student’s parents and the general public for their cooperation in dealing with this incident.”
Safford Police continue to investigate the incident and said they continue to work with the School District on safety measures, including at Friday’s home football game.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, with information on the result of the search and investigation.
