SALT LAKE CITY — West High School in Salt Lake City was placed under lockdown Monday due to an alleged gun threat made on social media.
Three students were detained during an investigation into the threat. Police originally claimed only two students had been detained.
Parents of students at the school shared Snapchat screengrabs of what appears to be a person holding a gun, with the location pinned as the high school. Police were unable to find the weapon associated with the social media post.
The lockdown was lifted just before 2 p.m. with the Salt Lake City School District saying all students were safe and that school would end at the normal time.
Police said they took one of the students into custody and transported them to the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center. Another student was released to their parents and could still face charges, while an investigation into the third student is ongoing.
Classes remained in session during the lockdown.
The lockdown came on the same day that several Box Elder County schools moved to online learning because of threats. No details other than the threats being made on social media were disclosed.
One mom decided to treat all the kids stranded outside to a hot lunch across the street.
“They cheered. Half of them didn’t believe it at first… I’m like 'No, really, go,'” said an anonymous parent who bought lunch for over 20 students.
The mother of a West High sophomore chose to remain anonymous, but kids at the lunch spot across from the school wanted to share her good deed with the news.
She fed about 20 kids, picking up a tab of over $200.
“It’s worth it. If I couldn’t feed my daughter inside, I was going to at least treat the kids who were outside in the cold," she said.
She wasn’t the only parent on standby.
"I received a text back saying: 'Dad, we’re on lockdown.' 'What do you mean you're on lockdown?' It scared me, so I immediately left work,” said parent Phill Baker.
Baker has twin boys who were also inside the building during the lockdown.
“It’s frustrating, it angers me, it scares me. Thank god that nothing happened. That, I am grateful for, but who’s to say that it wouldn’t have?” Baker said.
These parents are thankful students shared that threat with the school immediately… and that the school didn’t delay acting.
“It's not if, it’s when it’s going to happen, and as long as our schools are prepared to follow proper procedures, our kids will be safe," said the mom who wanted to remain anonymous. "They’re all safe, the kids who needed to be held are being held, and I hope they get the help they need. And we’re all going home today, so that’s a win."
