SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls Police had a heavy police presence around Washington High School Monday after originally receiving a call to check on the well-being of a person.
Sioux Falls Police say a call came in around noon that the person may be in the area of East 3rd Street and North Bahnson Avenue. Through their investigation, authorities learned the person may have a weapon. Police were in contact with the Sioux Falls School District, who then decided to place Washington High and Anne Sullivan Elementary in shelter-in-place status.
At around 1:30, with the school the schools still in a shelter-in-place status, a separate report was received that there was an active shooter in Washington High School. Authorities who arrived at the school determined the threat was not credible.
In a email, the Sioux Falls School District said schools continue with learning during a shelter-in-place but traffic in and out of the building is limited.
“As noted by law enforcement, during that time, someone from inside Washington placed a phone call to 911 with a false report of an active shooter in the building. This was quickly determined to be a hoax, as students were safe inside the building,” Sioux Falls School District spokesperson DeeAnn Konrad said in an email.
“As always, our number one goal is student and staff safety and we take the necessary precautions with that priority in mind,” Konrad said.
Sioux Falls Police say they’re still looking for the person who potentially could be in the area. Police provided no description of the person “that potentially could be in the area.”
