PHOENIX — Central High School was placed on lockdown Friday as police investigated a "fight and possible popping sounds nearby."
Police initially received reports of shots fired just before 12:30 p.m. but did not find any evidence that a shooting took place at the school. After hours of searching the school, Phoenix police gave the "all clear" at about 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Chad Gestson addressed the situation Friday evening and said it started during lunchtime when a fight occurred on campus. That caused a disruption and led to students believing they heard a popping noise that could have been misconstrued as a shooting.
Police say detectives are looking into what led up to the fight and have detained three juvenile male students.
After speaking with the students, detectives have determined all three were victims of an assault. The suspect is currently outstanding.
The school immediately went into lockdown as a precaution, which prompted nearby schools to do the same.
Dr. Gestson said as students began calling their parents multiple 911 calls were made out of concern.
VIDEO: Phoenix Police provide an update on Central High School lockdown situation.
One person was taken to a hospital with a hand injury and three others were treated for heat-related illnesses, none of which were related to the incident, police said.
Xavier, Brophy, and the Coding Academy were also placed on lockdown as a precaution during the time of the incident.
The FIRST group of kids are coming out now after being on lockdown at Central High School
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) September 9, 2022
Parents have been waiting nearly two hours now. pic.twitter.com/RvqvmgZKhX
During the incident, parents were told to meet their children who made it off campus prior to the lockdown at Steele Indian School Park.
The Phoenix Police Department says Phoenix Fire and the Department of Homeland Security are assisting with the investigation.
A meeting for Central High School and Phoenix Coding Academy families will be held tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 10:00AM in the Central High School auditorium to discuss today’s events and the future of campus safety. Central and Phoenix Union administration will address any questions, concerns, or recommendations.
Phoenix police are asking that if anyone has information related to this incident to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO.
Edwin, a Central High School 11th grader, tells me he jumped a fence, ran a mile away from the school after he heard gunshots.
— Christine Stanwood (@stanwoodreports) September 9, 2022
He’s now safe with his mom and older brother. His younger brother is still inside the school. @PhoenixPolice say no reports of injuries. | @abc15 pic.twitter.com/4gOSBBsvV8
