Afternoon classes at Burges High School came to an abrupt halt on Monday when the campus was placed on a precautionary lockdown after reports of shots being fired near Jim Crouch Park. Teachers secured classrooms, students were told to stay put, and officers moved in to sweep the area around the school and the nearby park.
El Paso police announced the investigation just before 1:30 p.m. and reported there were no injuries and no ongoing threats in the neighborhood. The El Paso Independent School District said Burges High went into lockdown out of an abundance of caution while officers checked the scene, according to KVIA. Police said the investigation remained active Monday afternoon.
Where it happened
Jim Crouch Park, formerly known as Ponder Park, sits just a short distance from the Burges High campus and is home to the city's August 3rd memorial. The park is located at 7500 W.H. Burges Drive, according to The Texas Tribune.
What officials advise
Police have asked residents to steer clear of the area while they complete their checks, and officers remained on scene through the afternoon. Families seeking campus-specific updates can consult the Burges High page on the El Paso Independent School District website, which lists the campus address at 7800 Edgemere Way and provides contact information, per El Paso ISD.
Local context
Lockdowns and "secure" protocols have become a familiar drill in El Paso this year when police activity pops up near schools, with an unrelated "vague threat" earlier this month prompting similar measures at another campus, as per Hoodline. District and city officials say these responses are meant to keep students and staff protected while authorities sort out what is happening in the surrounding community.
This is a developing story, and this article will be updated as police and school officials release more details. Parents and caregivers in the area should stick to official district channels for verified information.
