Threat that placed Wichita school on lockdown has ended, officials say
2 p.m. Thursday update:
A 39-year-old Wichita man experiencing a mental health crisis was taken into custody Wednesday night.
He was taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation, Wichita police spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said in an email.
7:30 p.m. update:
An incident that locked down Black Elementary School in west Wichita earlier has been cleared.
“The law enforcement incident in the area of 10th and High has been cleared. You may resume normal activity. Please don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency, or if you have information relevant to this situation,” an email from the Sedgwick County Emergency Communications alert system said.
Wichita police spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said the department worked with clinicians from Comcare and Sedgwick County EMS to determine that the man involved in a confrontation with police was no longer a threat to the public.
Previous:
A west Wichita elementary school is on lockdown because of a standoff at a nearby residence, a Sedgwick County Emergency Communications supervisor said just after 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Just after noon, a welfare call was made from where the department’s mental health unit responded to a home in the 1000 block of North High.
Officers encountered the homeowner, a 39-year-old Wichita man, who was reportedly having a mental health crisis. At one one point, the man pulled a handgun and officers retreated, Wichita police spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said at the scene.
Negotiators are talking with the man and the SWAT team is present as a precaution. The man is alone in his home, according to Rebolledo.
Black Traditional Magnet Elementary School, which is near the home, went on lockout because of the proximity to the call, Rebolledo said.
All students are being bused to nearby Hadley Middle School where they can be picked up by parents, USD 259 Director of Safety Services Terri Moses said in a briefing just before 4 p.m.
“This is directly across the street from Black,” Moses said. “And we want to control anybody walking the neighborhood.”
Hadley Middle School students walking in the neighborhood were being directed by police to take alternative routes, Moses said.
Surrounding neighbors were voluntarily asked to leave their homes with the exception of one neighbor who is sheltering in place, according to Rebolledo.
An alert was sent out through the county’s emergency alert system saying that Wichita police were working an “active threat.”
“This is a very dangerous situation; avoid the area if you can, or shelter in place in a safe location,” the alert says. “Get to a basement if you can; otherwise, stay away from windows. For more information, monitor local media. Do not call 911 unless you need police, fire or EMS.”
