Lockdowns lifted after teen with gun ran from authorities at south Sacramento high school

Authorities issued an “all clear” more than two hours after searching for a teen believed to be armed with a semi-automatic weapon, which triggered lockdowns at south Sacramento schools.

The incident started when a Sacramento County Probation Department officer saw a boy fall off a bike at Center Parkway and Ehrhardt Avenue in front of Valley High School, according to Lynsey Semon, the agency’s supervising probation officer. At the same time, a dog started charging toward the teen, who officials said pulled out what looked like a semi-automatic handgun.

The teen then started running after being commanded to drop the weapon, Semon said. The boy then jumped a fence onto the campus of Valley High School during the busy lunch hour, where he got lost in the crowd, prompting the lockdown around 11:40 a.m.

“At that point, lunch was out so there were students everywhere and they lost sight of him,” said Kevin Flores, Sacramento County Probation Department supervising watch commander.

Personnel from the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Probation Department and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search, going door by door through the school in search of the teen, Semon said.

“Our biggest goal is that everyone is safe,” said Semon.

Although officials said there was no threat, Cosumnes River College and two other Elk Grove Unified School District campuses – John Reith and Barbara Comstock Morse elementary schools – were placed on lockdown as a precaution.

“Please know that there is no active shooter at Valley High School,” said a statement by EGUSD shortly after the incident began.

Officials said around 2:30 p.m. that the lockdown on all four campuses was lifted, but a suspect remained at large.

“Students and staff did an excellent job following all lockdown procedures efficiently and effectively,” the district said. “All students and staff are safe.”

Probation officials say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the agency at 916-875-0300.

This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 12:34 PM.