Principal praises actions of students and staff, urges a similar response in the future

January 18, 2006 — A misunderstanding from a 9-1-1 call today caused a lockdown at Renton High School.

Renton Police responded to the call which reported a person possibly with a weapon on campus; the caller, however, later told police that the incident was at nearby Renton Technical College not Renton High School.

Police arrived at Renton High School just before 9:30 a.m., the scheduled late start time, and placed the school in lockdown while they looked for someone matching the description given by the caller.

Students and staff inside the building responded quickly, moving out of hallways and open spaces, locking doors from the inside and staying clear of windows.

“Even though we later learned this was not on our campus,” said principal Kathryn Hutchinson, “reacting appropriately to a possible threat is important and can only help us to be ready in case of an actual emergency.”

Nine school buses with Renton High students were sent to Renton Stadium and students who walk, drive or are dropped off by parents were kept out of the school while the search was conducted.

Renton Police soon located the caller who told police that the person he saw was at Renton Technical College. Police called an all-clear at about 10:30 a.m., allowing students back into school.