OAKLAND, CA- Two individuals were apprehended and Skyline High School in Oakland was put on lockdown after a shooting incident on Tuesday morning. The Oakland Police Department received a report of gunfire near the school premises in the Oakland Hills at approximately 11:30 a.m., according to department spokesperson Capt. Jake Bassett. In response to the incident, the school was put on lockdown.
The police, in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol and Alameda County sheriff’s deputies, conducted a thorough search of the campus. During the operation, four individuals were detained, with two of them subsequently arrested. Capt. Bassett stated that the officers carried out a systematic search of the campus, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The shooting incident occurred on the school grounds, as confirmed by Bassett. Evidence, including a handgun, was recovered from the scene. However, the police did not provide additional details regarding the arrests or the specific location of the shooting on campus. Students were forced to barricade themselves in classrooms for approximately two and a half hours.
One student expressed shock at the incident, stating it was their first week back and the situation was surreal. Parents anxiously gathered outside the school, waiting for updates about their children. One parent, Malana Weems, expressed her concern, stating that if parents are expected to send their children to school, the school should ensure a safe environment.
The Oakland Unified School District is currently reviewing its policies in light of the incident. District spokesperson John Sasaki expressed gratitude that no one was injured and commended the students for maintaining calm during the incident. He also had a message for the community, urging them to refrain from violence in all forms, emphasizing that conflicts are not worth the potential consequences.
The district announced on Tuesday that the school would remain closed on Wednesday. The Oakland Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact them.