Police operation near a Colorado Springs elementary school likely related to hoaxes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Police surrounded an elementary school in Colorado Springs around 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to several bystanders who contacted 11 News concerned about the activity.

The school, Ridgeview Elementary, is located in the northeast part of the city on Shimmering Creek Drive. The neighborhood is southwest of Peterson Road and Dublin Boulevard.

Police told 11 News they received a tip about a man with a gun threatening a school shooting. According to police, that threat was not credible at 11:30 a.m. They believe the alleged threat was a hoax.

According to CSPD, more than 20 units responded to the area.

According to police, both Skyview Middle School and Ridgeview Elementary School have been placed on safe status.

D-49 sent the following notice to parents and guardians:

Dear Ridgeview and Skyview Families, At approximately 11:10 a.m. Tuesday, several D49 campuses in the POWER Zone were contacted by our law enforcement partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department and recommended that both the Skyview and Ridgeview campuses be placed in a precautionary security status to relocate. Students and staff were allowed inside and visitors were restricted at all locations, consistent with our safety procedures.

On Tuesday morning, CSPD received a call indicating a suspected armed individual was in a neighborhood not far from RVES. They immediately notified our security team and school administration and recommended RVES move to secure status. CSPD then notified Skyview to move to safe status based on SMS proximity to Ridgeview. RVES and SMS continued normal operations inside while CSPD conducted its investigation. CSPD deployed a large police presence to surrounding neighborhoods who remained near RVES during the investigation.

Based on updated information from CSPD, the security status was lifted approximately 20 minutes later, just before 11:35 a.m., when officers, working with our security team, gave the all-clear for all campus properties. CSPD is continuing its investigation into the source of the phone call and confirmed there is no threat to the D49 campus.

D49 thanks our law enforcement partners and encourages all of our staff, students and families to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. We will remain proactive and work with local law enforcement to ensure a safe learning environment awaits every learner, visitor and member of our workforce in District 49. Best regards,

David NancarrowDirector of Communications

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