UPDATE: After reports of gunfire being heard just before 9 a.m. Friday morning (Feb. 16), and a lockdown on the Highline College campus, Des Moines Police reports that an initial investigation indicates that there was no active shooter on campus.
Police followed up with a secondary sweep of the campus, and an ‘all clear’ was announced at 11:38 a.m.
The first alert went out at 8:55 a.m., advising all “to lock down all offices and classrooms until further notice.”
A huge police response resulted, with roads around the campus closed – including southbound I-5 for a while – and heavily armed police slowly sweeping the campus, building to building.
Later reports indicate that the actual cause of the “gunfire” may have been fireworks.
Classes were canceled for the rest of the day.
Here’s information released by the Des Moines Police Department:
On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 at about 8:52 a.m., the Des Moines Police Department received multiple reports of shots being fired at Highline College.
Initially there were conflicting reports as to the exact location of the reported shots on campus.
The entire campus was put into lockdown at 8:57 a.m.
First responders from multiple law enforcement agencies, federal & state agencies, along with fire and emergency medical service personnel responded to the call. The first officers arriving at the campus did an initial sweep of the campus and did not locate a shooter, any victims or evidence of a shooting.
SWAT units from multiple agencies searched every building on the campus to look for any potential victims.
The lockdown was lifted at about 11:45 a.m.
The Des Moines Police Department will continue to investigate this incident.
If you were on campus and saw or heard anything, you are asked to contact Des Moines Police at (206) 878-3301. If you would like to contact Highline College. send en mail to [email protected].
“We have completed our search and have not located any injuries or indications of a shooting. We are working with Highline CC to remove lockdown and the investigation into the initial call will continue,” Kent Police Tweeted at 11:49 a.m. “Thank you for your patience.”
At this time search of buildings still in progress. No evidence of shooter or victims yet.
— Puget Sound Fire (@PugetSoundFire) February 16, 2018
Police also announced that Parents can re-unify with students in the Lowes parking lot on Pacific Highway.
UPDATE: South King Fire reports that – as of 9:59 a.m. – “There are no known victims at HCC.”
There are no known victims at HCC
— South King Fire (@Southkingfire) February 16, 2018
“This is not a drill. Close doors, close windows. Police are responding to campus. Do not come to campus if you are on your way. More details to come”
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Subject: Lockdown – This is not a drill
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
We have reports of gunfire on campus. Please lock down all offices and classrooms until further notice.
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:10 AM
Subject: Lockdown: This is not a drill
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Lockdown: This is not a drill. Close doors, close windows. Police are responding to campus. Do not come to campus if you are on your way. More details to come.
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown – This is not a drill
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
All Buildings need to remain in lockdown. Barricade doors and windows. Police are responding and we will have further details shortly.
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:26 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown – This is not a drill
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Police are responding and evacuating buildings. Remain in lockdown position. We will update you as further details become available. This is an unfolding situation.
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 9:57 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown – This is not a drill
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Police are clearing buildings. Please remain in lockdown until police have cleared your building. Parents can re-unify with students in the Lowes parking lot of Pacific Highway.
From: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2018 at 10:57 AM
Subject: Remain in lockdown
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Students and employees should remained in lockdown while buildings are being evacuated by law enforcement. Classes are cancelled for Friday, Feb. 16. For reunification, please meet students in Lowe’s parking lot on 24050 Pacific Highway.
Highline Community College is currently in lock down. Large police presence around school and along Pacific Hwy. S. Please avoid the area if possible. pic.twitter.com/tf8t1nhL87
— Kent Police (@kentpd) February 16, 2018
Renton PD and multiple agencies assisting at Highline Comm College for reports of “shots fired”, nothing confirmed yet. /sh pic.twitter.com/JdpDORCXTB
— Renton Police Dept. (@RentonpdWA) February 16, 2018
Families that want information or need a location to go to regarding Highline Incident (still unconfirmed) are being directed to Lowes NW corner parking lot a this time./sh
— Renton Police Dept. (@RentonpdWA) February 16, 2018
BREAKING: ATF agents are responding to reports of a school shooting at Highline College in Des Moines, Wash. pic.twitter.com/iSxiauS22H
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) February 16, 2018
Please continue to follow @KentPD for updates on the situation. #FBISeattle is on scene to supplement our partners’ expert response, only if needed.
https://t.co/CWSJHIMOOV— FBI Seattle (@FBISeattle) February 16, 2018
Kent police Update: At this time we have not located any injuries or indications of a shooting, but we are still treating it as one until we can confirm and complete our search. pic.twitter.com/bkObFU571f
— Kent Police (@kentpd) February 16, 2018
Highline College remains in lockdown as authorities search campus buildings following unconfirmed reports of shots fired. @PugetSoundFire states no evidence of shooter or victims. pic.twitter.com/Qn3iBBrxFa
— King County, WA (@KingCountyWA) February 16, 2018
UPDATE: Local officials have stated there is no evidence of a shooter on the college, nor anyone injured by gunfire, but law enforcement is continuing to clear the campus for the safety of the community. https://t.co/JD3jVLoA8l
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) February 16, 2018
Highline CC Update – we have been given the all clear and will be leaving the area. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding for all the agencies who responded today. As you can tell, this matter is taken very seriously. /sh
— Renton Police Dept. (@RentonpdWA) February 16, 2018
Kent Police Update: We have completed our search and have not located any injuries or indications of a shooting. We are working with Highline CC to remove lockdown and the investigation into the initial call will continue. Thank you for your patience.
— Kent Police (@kentpd) February 16, 2018
Strong work this morning by all the agencies involved in the HCC response. Zone 3 police and fire agencies have trained for events like this and it was greatly tested this morning. Thankfully at the end of the day it was determined to be a false alarm. #teamwork @RentonpdWA pic.twitter.com/e5FixerVva
— Renton Firefighters (@RentonFireL864) February 16, 2018
