SLO County school placed on lockdown after student reported a person with a gun
An elementary school in Atascadero was briefly placed on lockdown Monday morning after a student reportedly witnessed an individual carrying a gun on campus.
Around 8:15 a.m., Atascadero police officers arrived at Monterey Elementary School after a child reported seeing a person “in the area of the school property who may have been in possession of a firearm,” according to a news release from the Atascadero Police Department.
Officers immediately conducted a safety check of the school grounds at 3355 Monterey Road and found no unauthorized people on campus, police said.
A helicopter from the California Highway Patrol also searched the area, including nearby neighborhoods and open spaces, according to the release.
Shortly before 10 a.m., the lockdown was lifted at the Atascadero elementary school. The incident resulted in no injuries, police said.
“While the lockdown has been lifted and normal school activities are resuming, officers will remain in the area as a precautionary measure,” police said in a news release.
As of Monday morning, officers had not identified any suspect or observed a firearm near or on school premises.
The Atascadero Police Department said anyone with information about the incident should contact the department at 805-461-5051.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 10:13 AM.
