WAUKEE, IA — A large police response came to Waukee High School and the nearby Prairieview campus early Friday after authorities received reports of a person with a weapon near school property. The district placed the two schools on an external lockdown as a precaution while officers searched the area and worked to verify the threat.
Waukee police said there was no active threat when they posted an update on Facebook around 8:20 a.m., and they reported no injuries at that point. The external lockdown was lifted at 9:15 a.m., about 90 minutes after it began, and school officials later told parents that all schools would operate normally for the day.
Police said the area was searched inside and outside school buildings
In a later news release, the Waukee Police Department said officers thoroughly investigated the situation inside and outside district buildings. By 10:55 a.m., investigators said no weapons had been found and no injuries had been reported.
Officials also said the response remained coordinated between police and the Waukee Community School District throughout the morning. Police Chief Chad McCluskey said the agencies worked closely to protect students and the wider community while trying to reduce anxiety tied to the incident.
The district had told families that the lockdown was external, meaning classes continued but no one could enter or leave the buildings. Visitors were not allowed while the precaution was in effect.
District messages told parents what an external lockdown meant
The school district sent a note to parents during the emergency response explaining that Waukee High School and Prairieview were locked down because of a potential off-property threat near the high school. The message said the district was working with police and was not aware of any threat to student safety at that time.
Families were also asked not to rush to the schools during the lockdown. District officials said roads could be blocked by the police investigation and urged parents to stay calm, follow procedures, and keep their phones and computers close for updates.
Officials said they would share information by text, voice message, and email while the situation was being checked.
All schools reopened normally after the precaution ended
Once the lockdown was lifted, the district said all schools would operate as normal for the rest of the day. The message sent around 9:20 a.m. said the police investigation had determined there was no threat to student safety.
The early-morning incident created a visible emergency response near the campus, but police said the situation was handled without injuries and without any weapon being located. Authorities continued to investigate after the immediate campus response ended.
For families and staff, the morning closed with a return to routine after nearly an hour and a half of disruption. The district emphasized that its safety procedures and coordination with police helped manage the response.
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