UPDATE: Bismarck Police Release re incident at BHS

UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: Bismarck Police News Release:

An all clear has been given, and everyone is safe today after Bismarck Police and surrounding agencies responded to Bismarck High School for a hoax active shooter threat.

Around 9:45 a.m. this morning Central Dakota Communications received a phone call from an individual claiming to be an active shooter. In the background, gunfire could be heard. Police immediately responded to the threat and began to search Bismarck High School for an active threat. No active shooting was taking place while searching the school. During the search, numerous calls came into dispatch regarding hearing gunshots in the school, and that there was an active shooter. A sweep of the school was continued, and to ensure the safety of students and staff a methodical process was used to get everyone to a safe area of the school with security. Upon getting everyone to safety, a room-to-room search was completed of the entire school, and an all clear was given.

Bismarck Police continue to investigate the origins of the call and are confident that this was a hoax. There was never an active threat on campus, nor were there shots fired. Other schools throughout the U.S. received similar calls today including Mandan, ND. Bismarck Police take calls like these seriously and will respond to them as if they are real with the priority of keeping students and staff safe.

We want to commend the students and staff of Bismarck High for doing as they are taught in a situation like this, cooperating with instructions of the police, and being attentive to their surroundings. We also want to thank the surrounding law enforcement agencies, Bismarck Fire Department, and Metro Ambulance for their assistance.

UPDATE: 12:49 p.m.

The All Clear from Bismarck police has been given for the incident at BHS. More information to be given in a release expected later.

UPDATE: 10:45 a.m.

Bismarck Public School officials updated parents at 10:37 a.m. Thursday that there was no credible threat during the investigation of a reported shooting at Bismarck High School. School officials say the administration was made aware of rumors relating to a shooting situation. Bismarck Police initiated emergency response protocols. They say there is no reason for concern.

We are now learning more schools in the area received similar threats. Fargo and Grand Forks Police also investigated threats at public schools Thursday morning.

UPDATE: 10:40 a.m.

Bismarck Police has posted on its Facebook page there is not an active threat or shooter at Bismarck High School.

UPDATE: 10:33 a.m.

Bismarck Public Schools has sent an update to parents saying other facilities are dealing with a similar situation.

BECEP, Pioneer and Will-Moore are currently sheltering in place. A source at Mandan High School tells Your News Leader there is a lockdown at the high school as well.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR)- Students at Bismarck High say they are on lockdown Thursday morning. Students are telling Your News Leader they were instructed the active situation is not a drill, shortly before 10 a.m.

Bismarck Public Schools sent an email to parents and media reporting an incident with police on scene. Officials are asking the community not to tie up emergency phone lines by calling 911 or impede emergency responders by driving to the school.

A KFYR crew is on the scene working for more details. Bismarck Police, Burleigh County Sheriff’s deputies and ambulance crews are on the scene.

Stay with us for the developing situation.