'Rifle' Turned Out To Be Sports Equipment: Batavia Police

BATAVIA, IL — A report of a person entering the building with a rifle prompted an evacuation and lockdown at Batavia High School early Monday — but school district officials said the supposed gunman was really a student carrying sports equipment. By 9 a.m., police had given the all clear and said no gunman had been found.

"Through the search and review of video surveillance, it appears the person seen entering the school was a student athlete with a baseball bat sticking out of a backpack," police said. "Batavia Police always encourage residents who see something they find suspicious to call 911 immediately. Batavia Police welcome the opportunity to investigate such calls to confirm or disprove a possible threat."

The roads surrounding the school have reopened, police said, adding, "Please refer to the Batavia School District for any specific information relating to each perspective school."

Batavia police said at around 6:03 a.m., they received a report from a citizen who said they had seen a male dressed in black enter the high school at 1201 Main St. The witness told police the subject may have been armed with a rifle.

"Please stay away from Batavia High School until further notice," the city said in an alert to residents.

Batavia Public School District 101 said no one was being allowed into the building, and buses were not operating at BHS. "If your child has been picked up by a bus, they will be returned home," the district said in a tweet to parents.

The district said police thoroughly investigated and determined there was no threat to safety.

"A student entering BHS was carrying sports equipment which was mistaken for a weapon," the district said in an update. "While this situation was unfounded, this type of incident can be upsetting. Additional supports will be available for all staff and students in Counseling and Advising today for anyone needing assistance."

Just after 8 a.m., Batavia police said officers remained at the scene with numerous other law enforcement agencies clearing the interior building in search of the subject. "As of this time, nothing has been located," police said. "The search will continue until the entire building is made safe."

WGN's SkyCam9 had aerial footage of the police response at Batavia High School.