Suspicious person reported at North Salem High School
Today, May 27, 2022, at 1:33 p.m., the dispatch center received the report of a man wearing a sports-type mask walking near the North Salem High School campus and carrying a handgun. The report indicated the subject was last seen near the school’s running track.
Patrol officers immediately responded, with the first two officers arriving within 40 seconds, and they began to search the area where the subject was reported to be seen. Four additional officers arrived within 60 seconds to assist in the search.
Out of an abundance of caution, officers also did a thorough interior search of the school building, including all outbuildings on the campus.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., the search was completed. No suspect was located.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the facts surrounding the initial report of the suspicious person.
Chief Womack noted, “The recent horrific shooting in Texas has our students, parents, and community on edge, understandably. From the start of the incident, we maintained good communication with the Salem-Keizer Public Schools staff who immediately initiated lockdown protocols."
He added, “We want our community to know that we are prepared and ready to keep our school campuses safe, as exemplified by today’s rapid response.”
Please join us in thanking the officers from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Keizer Police Department, and Oregon State Police who also responded quickly to provide assistance at the school and cover other calls for service in the city while our patrol officers were focused on the campus.
Thank you.
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