Atascadero school lockdown lifted after police search creek for man with gun
Four Atascadero schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after a man with a gun was spotted near the campus of North County Christian School, according to a Atascadero Police Department release.
At approximately 1:18 p.m., two North County Christian students reported seeing a white, middle-aged man wearing a red jacket and brown pants carrying a long gun in the creek near the school and Highway 101, according to an Atascadero police commander on the police scanner.
Officers responded to the scene, entering the creekbed and using two drones and a helicopter to search the area for the subject, the release said.
North County Christian, Atascadero High School, Atascadero Middle School, the Fine Arts Academy and the district office all went on lockdown as the search continued, Atascadero City Manager Terrie Banish told The Tribune.
The CHP, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, Paso Robles Police Department and San Luis Obispo County Probation Department were asked to assist in the search, which followed the creek from behind the high school to beyond the Lewis Avenue Bridge.
Atascadero Unified School District sent alerts to parents but assured them that students were safe.
That didn’t stop some from showing up in person.
“I am going to stand out here until either the school is lifted off of lockdown or I can get my son to make sure that my son is safe,” one Atascadero mother told The Tribune outside the middle school. “All that we know is that the schools are on lockdown due to a safety concern in the area.”
About an hour and a half after the initial report, the schools’ lockdowns were gradually released, and by 2:43 p.m., all were back to normal operations.
“The Atascadero Police Department has notified AUSD of a resolution related to the incident in the community. At this time, the lockdown of Atascadero High School, Atascadero Middle School, Atascadero Fine Arts Academy and STEPS has been lifted,” Atascadero Superintendent Tom Butler said in a statement. “The Atascadero Unified School District believes the safety of our students, staff, and community is paramount and thank Atascadero Police Department for their swift and thorough response. In addition, thank you AUSD students and staff for following our school safety procedures.”
By shortly after 3 p.m., the search was concluded and all roads and surrounding areas were reopened, the release said.
“We were unable to locate anyone in the creek area,” the release said.
No subject has been found or arrested, though the release said anyone with information should contact the Police Department at 805-461-5051.
This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 1:01 PM.
