Franklin Pierce High School locked down, searched after report of ‘potential weapon’

Franklin Pierce High School in Parkland was put on a modified lockdown and searched by law enforcement Wednesday after it received a report of a “potential weapon” on campus, according to the school district.

In updates shared on the school’s website, officials said school district and law enforcement staff searched the locations related to the report and no weapon was found. Franklin Pierce School District did not specify what kind of weapon was reported. A spokesperson for the school district wasn’t immediately available to comment.

Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, Sgt. Darren Moss, said the lockdown stemmed from second-hand reports of a student having a gun with them. He said deputies didn’t find a weapon on the student.

The weapon was reported shortly before noon. Officials initially said Franklin Pierce would operate on a modified lockdown for the remainder of the day, but in an update at about 1 p.m., officials said the lockdown was lifted. Typically, modified lockdowns mean entrances to the building and classrooms are locked but instruction continues.

“The safety of students, staff and families remains our number one priority,” Franklin Pierce wrote on its website. “Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep the FP community safe.”