Panic gripped Kent Middle School on Thursday evening after reports of a man brandishing a handgun on the premises sent law enforcement into high alert, scouring the campus for any sign of the alleged armed individual. According to the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the incident was first reported around 7 p.m. when a juvenile flagged down a bystander, claiming to have seen a man with a gun.
While confusion initially clouded the situation, a second report came through depicting a person matching the initial description, the second witness didn't report seeing a firearm but instead a cellphone. As a precaution, deputies responded immediately, locking down the gym which at the time, held students in the midst of basketball practice, and they then conducted an exhaustive search that, unfortunately, turned up neither a weapon nor the suspect.
Safety remained the priority as deputies took the additional step of providing escorts to students and their parents, ensuring a secure departure from the potentially threatened environment. The school community exhaled a collective sigh of relief when the Sheriff's Office later announced that they believe there's no current threat to the campus or its students.
Investigations will continue as daylight allows, with the school's security footage set to be examined in conjunction with staff, the Sheriff's Office is, meanwhile, asking for anyone with relevant information to step forward. Sgt Adam Schermerhorn, the Public Information Officer, implores the public to contact him at [email protected] should they have any tips that could shed light on Thursday's alarming events.
