South suburban high school on lockdown after report of gun on campus

A high school in a south suburb of Chicago went into a lockdown on Friday after a report of a gun on the school’s campus.

Around 1:30 p.m., Homewood-Flossmoor High School was placed in a “hard lockdown” and all students remained in the same location until dismissal at 3 p.m., according to a letter sent to families and staff from the school’s superintendent, Dr Jennifer Norrell.

The firearm and an unnamed individual are in police custody, Norrell said, and there is no longer an active threat to the school.

Police departments were on site at the school, located at 999 Kedzie Avenue in Flossmoor, to ensure the safety of students and staff, Norrell said. Authorities remained on site during a staggered dismissal at 3 p.m.

“We understand this situation may be stressful. Student and staff safety is our top priority, and we will continue to provide updates as soon as we have confirmed information,” Norrell said.

A pop-up on the school’s website shares a nearly identical message to the one sent by Norrell.

No additional information was immediately available.