Lockdown lifted at Centennial High School

PEORIA, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Friday saw some tense moments for students and staff members of Centennial High School in Peoria, after that school was put on lockdown, over a student's report that he saw another student with a gun.

The lockdown, which began at around 10:00 a.m., was lifted in the afternoon hours, after police searched the campus. No gun was found.

The lockdown began after an unidentified student told an administrator that he or she saw a fellow student with a gun in his waistband. Police were called out to the school.

During the lockdown, Peoria Unified officials said students were escorted to the cafeteria for lunch, one building at a time.

Officials with Centennial High School announced the end of the lockdown Friday afternoon.

According to School District officials, classes were dismissed at 2:20 in the afternoon. Worried parents were getting updates from their kids throughout the day, by text.

"It's nerve-wracking," said one parent. "You send your children to learn, to build themselves, and now, he's sitting there in a classroom, waiting to see if he can come home! It's not what you want."

School District officials sent the following letter to parents:

Dear Centennial High School Parents and Guardians,

This letter is to inform you that Centennial High School is currently on lockdown. It was reported to school administration this morning that students may have seen a fellow student with a handgun in his waistband on campus. As a precaution, the police were immediately notified and are on campus investigating the validity of the report.

At this time, no one may enter or leave the campus. We consider the safety of our students our highest priority at Centennial High School. We will keep you posted once more information is available and the lockdown is lifted.

Additional updates will be available on the district's website at the following link: www.peoriaunified.org/updates.

Sincerely,

Peoria Unified Public Relations