Garfield County Dispatch received a report at approximately 8 a.m. of a person armed with a rifle outside Rifle High School who allegedly planned to enter the school and carry out a shooting, according to a news release from the Police Department Rifle.

Officers from the Rifle Police Department immediately responded to the scene and conducted a thorough check of the surrounding area of ​​the school and cleared the building to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

The school was placed on lockdown as a precaution and the PD Rifle response was augmented by support from Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Colorado State Patrol. Together, they completed a comprehensive search of the property and surrounding areas.

After careful investigation, it was determined that this report of a person with a rifle intending to start a shooting was a false alarm, also known as a beating event. Swatting is the practice of making fake emergency calls to provoke a large law enforcement response to an intended target.

Change often disrupts communities and depletes critical resources and poses a serious risk to public safety and emotional distress to all involved.

Rifle High School resumed normal business Tuesday. Rifle PD expresses its sincere gratitude to the teachers, staff, parents and students of the Garfield Re-2 District for their patience, understanding and cooperation and calm response in a challenging situation.

PD Rifle also thanks and appreciates the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado State Patrol for their invaluable assistance in this response, coordination and interagency support.

Rifle PD takes all reports of potential threats seriously and is dedicated to keeping schools safe. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Rifle Police Department at 970-665-6500.