After possible gun threat, SM East placed on lockdown

SM East this morning was placed on “lockdown” after word of a possible weapon threat reached school administrators. The police investigated the threat and cleared the lockdown just over an hour after it was implemented. They found a student with a small, plastic orange gun, and determined there was no threat to student or staff safety. The district released the following statement on the incident:

This morning at approximately 9:15 a.m., a report of a possible threat of a weapon on the Shawnee Mission East High School campus was reported.

School officials notified the Prairie Village Police Department immediately, and the school was placed on precautionary lockdown. After a thorough investigation, a small orange plastic toy gun was found, and it was determined that no credible threat to the safety of students or staff existed. At 10:35 a.m., the building was released from lockdown.

Please take a moment to review district safety policies, which prohibit possession of weapons or look-alike weapons on school district property. We appreciate the continued support of students, staff, parents, and community partners in keeping our school and community safe.