An external lockdown was initiated at LHS on Thursday, May 20 at 1:43 p.m. No one was allowed to enter or exit the building until 1:53 p.m.
The school recieved four consecutive phone calls claiming there was a shooting at Mundelein High School. Immediatly, LHS went into a lockdown to ensure the safety of the students and staff.
Meanwhile, police liasion Bob Uliks communicated with the Libertyville Police Department to verify the claims regarding the shooting.
"[The lockdown] buys us time to see if [the calls] are true. We don't take any chances," Assistant Principal Eric Maroscher said.
Uliks confirmed there was no shooting at Mundelein, but that there was an alleged shooting at the St. Mary of Vernon church in Indian Creek.
For this reason Stevenson High School was also locked down at 12:45 p.m. The school resumed normal activity as of 2:19 p.m. Vernon Hills High School was not "officially" locked down according their main office, however, security did lock the main doors as a precaution.
The lockdown at LHS occurred toward the end of seventh period. Seniors returning from lunch release were kept outside the school for ten minutes. Once the threat was deemed invalid, the lockdown was lifted.
An external lockdown is initiated by the local police department and announced to students over the PA system. Teachers are required to lock classroom doors and close blinds on windows. Students are advised to clear the surrounding floor in case of an evacuation. Furthermore, if a student is in the hallway they are advised to go to the nearest classroom or resource center.