DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement and USD 497 Lawrence authorities are investigating an alleged school threat.
On Tuesday, Lawrence Police Officers detained a student as he left Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, with reason to believe he may be armed, according to. police spokesperson Laura McCabe.
District employees asked police to investigate a credible threat to the school Tuesday morning. Once police identified the student, school employees and the School Resource Officer tried to speak with him, asking him to relinquish his backpack.
The student was uncooperative, left school property, and began heading toward the commercial businesses just south of the school.
With reason to believe the student was armed, the Lawrence Police Department School Resource Officer requested backup while continuing to ask the student to comply.
Another responding officer got in front of the student and was able to detain him without further incident. Police determined the student was not armed.
“The threat was concerning and contained details. The student was then intentionally defiant with school personnel and officers. The Lawrence Police Department and School District work together daily and will always remain committed to fully investigating any threat. We’re glad this ended the way it did,” said Deputy Chief Adam Heffley.
District employees will determine any disciplinary action against the student.