9/29/2021- 4:02 p.m.
NEWPORT — Roughly an hour and a half after Rogers High School went into lockdown Wednesday afternoon, the school’s principal provided more details into what occurred.
Newport police and school administration immediately investigated the claim and determined “the student statements were deemed false and not credible,” the email said.
At that point, Vance said, the lockdown was lifted.
Principal Jared Vance in an email to the school community said the lockdown procedures were enacted “out of an abundance of caution” after a student reported seeing an individual on campus with a gun.
“We appreciate the quick response of our students and staff and the support from the Newport Police who responded immediately to the call,” the email said.
The school in an email sent around 1:10 p.m. said the lockdown procedures were enacted about 12:30 p.m. Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain told The Daily News at 1:15 p.m. there was no shooting at the school, though acknowledged heavy police presence.
“ALL STUDENTS & STAFF are safe,” an initial email from the school said while the lockdown was in place.
Around 1:35 p.m. students were seen leaving the school.
