HOUSTON — There were some tearful reunions in the Heights Tuesday after Houston police gave the all-clear when a report of a possible active shooter at Heights High School turned out to be a false alarm. Police determined there was a fight at the school but no shots were fired and no students or staff members were hurt.
HPD officers, SWAT team members and Precinct 1 deputies went to each classroom at the northside school to make sure everyone was OK.
After checking the entire school, HPD Chief Troy Finner delivered the news that everyone was OK, there was no shooting and there were no injuries.
One dad we spoke with was so relieved at the news that he was overcome with emotion.
Chief Finner said when officers got to a classroom on the opposite side of the building, the door was locked.
"Considering what happened recently in an active shooting," officers broke open the door, Finner said. They searched the classroom to make sure everyone was safe.
As officers went in, students were asked to raise their hands in the air and give a thumbs up if they were OK.
“It was definitely scary, you don’t know what happens; nothing to guarantee us that we were safe," one student told said.
“It’s rough. It’s hard but they need an education, it’s like what can we do? What can we do as parents?" a shaken mom with three kids at the school told us.
One police officer suffered heat exhaustion but he's OK after being treated at the scene.
During the investigation, a staging area for parents was set up at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 306 E. 15th Street.
Once the all-clear was given, the school was released early and relieved parents were reunited with their kids. Buses were sent to the school to transport the students who needed rides home.
HISD released the following statement:
"The security of our students and staff is our top priority. Today, a threat was made against Heights High School. As a precautionary measure, Heights High School, Hogg and Hamilton Middle Schools immediately went into lockdown. The Houston Police Department and HISD Police continue to investigate the threat, though no evidence was found to substantiate the threat. Students at Heights High School will be dismissed early and school buses are in route to transport students who normally ride buses."
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released the following statement.
“I want to thank Houston Police, Houston Fire, the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office, and Houston ISD for their prompt response at Heights High School. While the reports of an active shooter turned out to be false, we are reminded that student safety and school security are paramount on the minds of students, parents and employees of all school districts. Today’s response to the emergency calls reinforces how seriously our first responders take these incidents, and illustrates the constant training they undergo to take such quick and responsive action.”