(Updated at 12:50 p.m.) Police received a report of shots fired inside Washington-Liberty High School this morning, prompting a massive emergency response, but it turned out to likely be something else.
Police say an extensive search of the school found evidence of fireworks being discharged inside but no gunshots. No one has been hurt.
POLICE ACTIVITY: At approximately 7:50AM police responded to the report of possible shots heard at Washington-Liberty High School. During the investigation, police located evidence of discharged fireworks. No injuries have been reported and no weapons have been found. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/IsUrhAqvZJ
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) July 19, 2022
UPDATE: The search of the building has concluded and no evidence of a shooting was located and no injuries were reported. @ApsVirginia will dismiss students – follow APS for directions. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) July 19, 2022
Several 911 callers reported hearing gunshots inside the school, possibly on the fourth floor, shortly before 8 a.m., according to police radio traffic.
That prompted police and medics to rush to the scene en masse and search throughout the building. The school remained on lockdown for much of the morning, until the search concluded around 10:30 a.m. The county bomb squad, including a K-9 unit, was requested to the scene during the search.
Summer school classes were underway at W-L at the time of this morning’s incident. In a School Talk email to families, sent shortly before 9 a.m., Arlington Public Schools said that students will be dismissed for the day once the lockdown is lifted.
W-L Summer School Families
We are following up on this morning’s incident at Washington-Liberty. At [approximately] 7:50 a.m., a student reported that they heard shots in the building. The school [immediately] went on lockdown. During the investigation, police located evidence of discharged fireworks. No injuries have been reported and students and staff are all safe.
W-L remains on lockdown as the ACPD continue to investigate and conduct a [thorough] search of the building. Students will be [dismissed] for the day as soon as the investigation is concluded. Regular dismissal will be followed once the all clear is given.
As of 9 a.m., there was a report of one adult who was inside the school seeking treatment for a minor medical issue.
Something is happening at Washington Liberty High. At least 15-20 ACPD cars staged on both sides of the building, N Stanford closed at Washington Blvd @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/Ejukdkf5GY
— Dan Ungar (@DUngarIRL) July 19, 2022