BPD finds ECHS shooting threat false

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  • BPD responds to threats of an active shooter at BISD's Early College High School (photo by B. Scott McLendon)
    BPD responds to threats of an active shooter at BISD's Early College High School (photo by B. Scott McLendon)
  • (photo by Sharon Brooks)
    (photo by Sharon Brooks)
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Beaumont police called “all clear” after reports of an active shooter at BISD’s Early College High School were investigated and found to be false at about 2 p.m. Sept. 22.

More than 20 Beaumont Police Department (BPD) vehicles were seen at the campus after reports emerged of an active shooter threatening the school at about 1:38 p.m. Thursday afternoon. A BPD officer told The Examiner that approximately 50-100 law enforcement personnel responded to the situation and scoured the campus for a shooter – ultimately finding the threat to be unfounded.

Another officer reported that BISD officers didn’t arrive until after BPD had cleared the campus just after 2 p.m. That’s when BPD officers emerged from the campus wielding rifles, with at least one holding a ballistic shield. BPD offered an “all clear” after less than 50 minutes clearing the campus. 

Concerned parents who gathered outside the school say the campus is generally peaceful – which is why the threat was especially shocking to them. They agreed the person who made the threat likely wasn’t a student there.