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Ed White High School students safe after report of gun on campus, according to DCPS

Duval County Public Schools said Ed White High School was under a Code Red lockdown Thursday, which delayed dismissal at the large Westside school.

DCPS said all students and staff at Ed White High School are safe.

A DCPS spokesperson sent this statement to media:

"Thank you for your patience. There was a Code Red at Ed White Academy of Leadership due to a report of a firearm on campus. Police investigated and no firearm was located. Students and staff remained safe during this time. However, because this occurred just before dismissal, dismissal procedures were delayed. We alerted parents with the preliminary info and then sent out the communication below. Hope this helps!"

"Parent Communication
Good Afternoon parents and guardians of Ed White High School. This is Principal Battest. I want to assure you that all students and staff are safe, but we did have an incident today that prompted a lockdown and delayed dismissal. Just before students were to be dismissed for the day, we received a student tip about a possible firearm on campus. The school was immediately placed on a Code Red lockdown and police began investigating the tip. 

"A thorough search of the school was conducted by law enforcement. No firearm nor an individual with a firearm was located. We were on a Code Red for approximately 30 minutes before we were advised the lockdown could be lifted and dismissal procedures could begin. Thankfully, students and staff remained safe throughout the incident.  

"We are grateful for the cooperation and responsiveness of students, staff, and law enforcement. We also appreciate the patience shown by parents during this time. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are important to us. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (904) 693-7620. Thank you and have a good day."

Parents told Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson that their kids hid in the school gym during the lockdown. Follow Ryan Nelson on Twitter

Some parents raced to the school to pick up their kids.

Vera Dudley picked up her grandson. “I was really really scared and upset and hoped that none of the kids got hurt or anything,” she said.

Parents called the station and several students posted on social media saying shots were fired on campus. But that never happened.

"And that’s when he called me, and I said I’m going to go up to the school and see what’s going on,” said Dudley.

This comes one day after a teen was shot in the chest at near his bus stop on the west side.

She tells Action News Jax she fears for the safety of children in school.

“Kids go to school to learn not all this violence you know making parents upset, got to leave from work, can’t leave from work and worry about their children,” she said.

Parents tell me they’re glad their children are safe, and are happy law enforcement reacted so quickly.

There was extra security at the Westside school last week after a reported threat against the facility.

To listen to the full message from the Ed White High School on Sept. 10, click here. 

Sky Action News Jax chopper video shows at least a dozen Jacksonville Sheriff's Office units on the scene: 

Chopper video: Ed White High placed under Code Red lockdown

Chopper video: Ed White High dismissal under way after school placed on Code Red lockdown. WHAT WE KNOW: http://bit.ly/2xB2Hil

Posted by Action News Jax on Thursday, September 20, 2018