Extra security at Middle Creek High School Friday after student brings airsoft gun to school

Several Cary-area schools were placed on lockdown Thursday morning after a student was found with a gun on campus at Middle Creek High School.

Cary police said a student was found in possession of an Airsoft gun and detained by officers. Juvenile petitions are being filed against the student for possession of a weapon on a school campus.

You will see more police cars around Middle Creek High School Friday morning, following Thursday's Code Red lockdown.

The added security comes one day after a student brought an airsoft gun into the school. Although airsoft guns shoot plastic pellets, they still resemble traditional firearms.

Police and school administrators initially identified four students as possibly involved. These students were brought to the front office and searched. No weapons were found in their possession, but while speaking with those students, another student was identified as being involved.

No students were hurt and classes continued during the investigation. The student will also face disciplinary action from Wake County Public School System.

As that student was being removed from a classroom inside the school at 123 Middle Creek Park Ave., the student was seen trying to hide something in a sweatshirt. A teacher learned that the student in question was trying to conceal something. That student eventually turned the sweatshirt over to police and school administrators, who found an airsoft gun inside the sweatshirt.

"We take all threats seriously, so we immediately called 911 and went into a Code Red lockdown to ensure the safety of students. In a Code Red lockdown, the entire building is locked down. No one is allowed to enter or exit the building until an all-clear announcement is received from police," wrote officials in an update.

That Code Red, called around 10 a.m., was quickly downgraded to Code Yellow, then to Code Green just before noon.

Several other schools nearby went into a Code Yellow lockdown – meaning classes continued by no one was allowed in or out of the building. Those included: West Lake Elementary, West Lake Middle and Middle Creek Elementary schools.

Those schools were allowed to return to a Code Green around 11 a.m.

"All students are safe. We will update when we are able. Please do not come to the school to pick up your child," officials wrote in a release.

Extra officers will be on campus on Friday as a precautionary measure.

'It was scary:' Students and parents share reactions to the lockdown

Despite the messages for parents not to rush to the school, a sizable group of concerned-looking adults gathered outside Middle Creek High School. Dozens of parents were waiting anxiously for hours, constantly checking their cell phones for any updates.

Ben Broussard had his ninth grader texting him from inside the school.

"He said he was hiding behind a desk and that they were worried there was a shooter in the school," said Broussard.

One student named Isaiah Hall, who was in the locker room at the time of the lockdown said, "It was a scary situation. Where I was in the school, I wouldn’t have been able to hear anything. Just seeing everybody’s faces and not knowing what was going to happen next was just scary."

His mother said she's considering homeschooling because lockdowns are getting out of control, in her opinion.

A video taken inside a school classroom shows police lead two students from class. School officials said one student was detained.

While no one was injured -- the fear lingered.

"You know what's going to happen to our kids? Now they're going to be fearful about going back to school," said Doug Barrett Listmann.

When asked how he feels about returning to school, Hall said, "It's a little bit scary, but at the same time, it's kind of unpredictable. No matter where you're at, there's a possibility something can happen."

Students were allowed to leave school. Parents can pick up their children at Middle Creek Park by the turf soccer fields at 151 Middle Creek Park Ave. Students who drive will be permitted to leave campus provided they email the attendance office.

Police said they will continue to have a presence at the school for the next few days.

"Bringing a weapon to school is a very serious offense. Any student who brings a firearm on campus faces a 365 day suspension, per state law. well as potential criminal charges," wrote school officials in a release.

The Middle Creek High School website has all updates about today's lockdown.