2 Firearms, BB Gun Found After Midtown High School Lockdown: Official

MIDTOWN, NY - Two public high schools in Midtown were placed under lockdown Friday afternoon following reports of a student with a firearm, officials said.

Two students from Independence High School were taken into custody after police recovered weapons at the school, NY1 reported. The school shares two basements with M400 High School for Environmental Studies at at 444 West 56th St. No shots were fired during the incident, police said.

Both schools were placed under lockdown Friday afternoon after a family member reported to police about 2 p.m. that a 15-year-old brought a gun to school, NYPD officials said at a news conference Friday evening.

Authorities later decided to evacuate the school and do reverse scanning, which found the firearm on the 15-year-old, as well as a firearm on another student and a BB gun on a third student, police said.

New York City council member Erik Bottcher noted in an X post that the lockdown was lifted shortly before 3:30 p.m.

The school was still being searched as of 6 p.m. Friday, police said.

Regarding the earlier police activity at Independence High School (850 Tenth Avenue) I am happy to report that all students left school safely. I know many were worried & I thank you for your patience and allowing us to do what was necessary to ensure our kids made it home.
— NYPD School Safety (@NYPDSchools) October 7, 2023