Air gun found during school lockdown

Staff report

Portales police requested a lockdown Friday morning at Portales High School after a caller reported seeing a gun being waved around in a vehicle near the school, according to police.

Detective Charlie Smart said after gaining consent from the parents who owned the vehicle, police discovered an air pistol that shoots plastics bullets in the glove box.

No arrests had been made as of Friday afternoon, according to Smart.

The high school was locked down for about 30 minutes after “an incident on campus,” according to a statement from PHS Principal Melvin Nusser.

The lockdown was lifted about 9:35 a.m., Nusser said. He did not provide details about the incident.

Here is the statement provided by the school:

“We wanted to inform all that Portales High School went into lockdown at approximately 9 a.m. on the recommendation of the Portales Police Department who were investigating an incident on campus. The Police Department conducted their investigation, and the campus was taken off lockdown at approximately 9:35 a.m. This is an ongoing investigation by the Portales Police Department.

“Portales High School takes the safety of our students very seriously, and while going to lockdown is a stressful situation, we are very proud of the way all the students and staff conducted themselves during this time. Every measure was taken to ensure that students were safe and secure during the lockdown. Portales High School will continue to take all steps necessary to provide a safe learning environment for all students.”