Update: Sonora High School Lockdown Lifted

Sonora Lockdown photo from Taylor Mellott

Update at 5:50 p.m.: The Sonora Police Department has released this statement regarding the lockdown and sweep of the Sonora High School campus after a report of sounds like “shots fired” around 12:30 p.m. near the science building on Shaws Flat, across from the main campus.

The statement reads, “The school campus is clear, all students have been released, everyone is safe, and we found no evidence of suspicious activity. Thank you all for your patience and trust as we worked through this incident.”

Update at 5:30 p.m.: Traffic is moving freely once again in downtown Sonora after Sonora High School was put on lockdown due to a report of sounds like “shots fired” around 12:30 p.m. near the science building on Shaws Flat, across from the main campus. The lockdown was lifted around 3:30 p.m. All students have either been taken by bus or picked up by parents. Sonora Police Department Spokesperson Thomas Brickley provides an update on the investigation, stating, “It’s too early for us to say if we believe that there was a shot heard in the area or not. No information that it actually came from the high school or just in the area, or what the origins of that noise was. Officers responded, locked down the school, and made sweeps of the school, ensuring the safety of all students. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.”

Update at 4:25 p.m.: The school has sent this message to parents, staff, and students: [shs] “Law enforcement has confirmed that our campus is safe. The lockdown has been lifted. School is dismissed for the day.”

Update at 3:50 p.m.: Sonora Police Department Spokesperson Thomas Brickley reports that the lockdown of Sonora High School due to a report of sounds like “shots fired” around 12:30 p.m. near the science building on Shaws Flat Road has been lifted. All roads around the school that were closed will reopen immediately, except for Shaws Flat Road and School Street. He detailed that buses have arrived to pick up students on Shaws Flat Road, and once they are filled, that roadway will be reopened to traffic. Parents who need to pick up students should follow their normal routine, according to Brickley, who added that School Street will remain closed until all law enforcement has left the scene. Further details on today’s incident at the school can be viewed below.

Update at 3:15 p.m.: Law enforcement continues to sweep the Sonora High School campus after a report of sounds like “shots fired” around 12:30 p.m. near the Science building on Shaws Flat Road. Sonora Police Department Spokesperson Thomas Brickley provides an update on the investigation, stating, “We do not have any suspects, any leads, or anything further to go off of right now.” He added, “It’s too early for us to say if we believe that there was a shot heard in the area or not; that will come with an investigation at a later time. Right now, we are working on ensuring the safety of the kids and the community.”

The school remains on lockdown, and students are being evacuated to the gym. Brickley noted that parents will be notified when they can pick up students, which he says could be in this hour. The school sent out a message to parents, staff, and students, stating, “Law enforcement continues to strategically clear campus. All student activities, including athletics and this evening’s drama performance, have been canceled.” Brickley stressed that there have been no injuries reported and that there are no other known threats to any other school in our city or area. We’ll pass along more information as it becomes available.

Update at 3:06 p.m.: The Sonora Police Department states, “Students and staff will remain locked down for a bit longer. School administration is working on a plan to safely release students when we give the all-clear. Thank you for your patience while we work through this.”

Update at 3:00 p.m.:Sonora High School sent this message to parents: “Law enforcement continues to strategically clear campus. We remain locked down. Students and staff will remain locked down. Thank you for your patience as we ensure all students and staff are safe. We hope to lift the lockdown soon.” The school also confirms that all student activities, including athletics and the evening drama performance, have been canceled. The Sonora Police Department states, “Law enforcement officials are continuing the search. Still no indication of a threat or any injuries. We will continue this methodical process until we are certain everyone is safe.”

Update at 2:20 p.m.:  Sonora Union High School District (SUHSD) released this notification to parents, staff and students:

[SUHSD] “Lockdown Update: No active threat has been identified on campus. Thank you for your patience as law enforcement continues to strategically clear the campus. Out of an abundance of caution, SHS will continue to lockdown until law enforcement has completed clearing the campus.”

Update written by BJ Hansen at 1:50 p.m. and below: It still remains unclear what was heard during the noon hour at Sonora High School that sounded like “shots fired.” Sonora Police Department Spokesperson Thomas Brickley says they are still “investigating a threat, but not an active threat.”

“Out of an abundance of caution,” he says they will be clearing the rest of the campus to make sure the area is safe.

Brickley adds, “We are asking all residents to stay away from the area of Sonora High School because there is still a heavy law enforcement presence.”

Brickley stresses that there have been no types of injuries reported.

Update at 1:33pm: Several of the buildings on campus at Sonora High School have been evacuated near the area where some type of “shots” were heard near the Sonora High School campus during the noon hour so that law enforcement can continue its investigation. It still remains unclear what was heard, and it is stressed that there have been no injuries reported. Areas evacuated include the science and shop buildings. Parents are still requested not to come and pick up students at this time. The investigation into the mysterious sounds is ongoing. Many of the roads around the school are blocked, so you will want to avoid the area.

Update at 1:15pm: Law enforcement officials are still investigating what was heard during the noon hour near Sonora High, which sounded like some type of “shots” fired. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office is asking concerned parents to refrain from coming to pick up their children at the school.

It is stressed that it is unknown what was actually heard and there have been no injuries reported. The investigation is ongoing.

Original story posted at 12:53pm: Sonora, CA — There is a heavy law enforcement presence at Sonora High School this afternoon.

The school was placed on lockdown, meaning everyone was directed to stay in place, at around 12:30pm, after there was a report of some type of shots being heard near one of the school buildings.

Various law enforcement officers are on the scene investigating the situation, and very limited information is available. There have been no reports of any type of injuries. Some roads are closed around the school, as officials do a sweep of the campus, so be prepared for detours near Sonora High School. We’ll pass along more information as it becomes available.