Police Confirm 'Hoax' Prompted Lockdown At St. Helena High School

ST. HELENA, CA — A lockdown that was in place Wednesday afternoon at St. Helena High School and Primary School was lifted by 2 p.m. after a threat was determined to be a hoax, according to the St. Helena Police Department.

Police announced the lockdown in a Nixle alert shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday and said it was a precautionary measure as the building was cleared.

More information about the incident was provided late Wednesday afternoon. A police sergeant said that at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, the St. Helena Police Department received a call about an active shooter at St. Helena High School where students were injured.

"All available resources responded to the school and confirmed it was a hoax," Sgt. Filippo "Fil" Bianco said in a news release.

St. Helena High School was placed on lockdown while officers from the St. Helena Police Department, Napa County Sheriff’s Department, Calistoga Police Department and the California Highway Patrol systematically searched the school.

Out of an abundance of caution, the nearby St. Helena Primary School was also placed on lockdown, police said.

The lockdowns were lifted by 2 p.m. and all roads in the area were reopened.

"Student and school staff safety remains our priority and the St. Helena Police will be investigating the reporting party so they can be held accountable," Bianco said.

Police reported a similar hoax Wednesday at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa.