Gunfire outside South Gate Middle School on Thursday triggered a sudden campus lockdown, but officers later lifted the order and said the school was safe after detaining a suspect, according to a video update from the South Gate Police Department.
Officers established a perimeter near the 4100 block of Firestone Boulevard, found evidence confirming a shooting and brought in a K-9 unit while witnesses supplied descriptions for detectives at the scene. School and police officials publicly thanked parents and the community for their patience and cooperation during the tense response.
In a video update posted to Facebook, the South Gate Police Department said officers were initially dispatched after reports of juveniles fighting and shots fired near the school and that they "found evidence confirming a shooting." The department said the lockdown was lifted and the campus is safe, adding that a suspect was detained as a K-9 team assisted and detectives followed up on leads from witnesses.
Campus and community
South Gate Middle School, listed at 4100 Firestone Blvd on its South Gate Middle School, serves grades 6-8 and had students and staff sheltered in place while officers cleared the surrounding area. The school page lists the campus address and phone number, and district information remains the primary channel for official school communications. At the time of the police post, LAUSD had not issued a separate public statement on the incident.
Police response and investigation
According to the South Gate Police Department video update, officers locked down the area around the 4100 block of Firestone Boulevard, interviewed witnesses who offered suspect descriptions, and conducted a K-9 search while investigators processed the scene. The department described the investigation as ongoing and asked anyone with information to come forward. Officials did not release details on the suspect's age or any potential charges in the update.
How to share tips
Anyone with information is urged to contact the South Gate Police Department. For non-emergencies the department lists (323) 563-5400, and the police site provides additional contact options; in an emergency callers are directed to use 911. Those contact details are posted on the South Gate Police Department. The department publicly thanked the school, parents and the wider community for their cooperation throughout the response.
Background
Lockdowns and police responses to nearby gunfire are not new in the city. A shooting after a high school football game in 2023 prompted a lockdown at South Gate High School, as reported in lockdown at South Gate High. Incidents like these often leave families rattled while investigators work to piece together what happened, and officials consistently urge the public to rely on official channels for updates.
