Teen’s AR-15 threat leads to school lockout in Long Beach, report says

A Long Beach High School student’s threat to storm the school with an AR-15 rifle Thursday morning triggered a lockout across multiple school buildings and brought a heavy police response, according to reports citing law enforcement sources.

The 15-year-old reportedly told someone he was “tired of being bullied” and threatened to enter the school with the semi-automatic weapon, the New York Post reported. A parent contacted 911, resulting in police officers swarming the high school, as well as Long Beach Middle School and an elementary school nearby, according to the report.

Long Beach police notified school officials of the threat, which they believed warranted a precautionary lockout, Long Beach schools Superintendent Jennifer Gallagher confirmed. A lockout means no one is permitted to enter the building.

In a letter to Long Beach families about the threat and lockout, Gallagher said, “Please know that all students and staff are safe.”

By noon, the lockout was lifted at the middle and elementary schools. A modified lockout remained in place at the high school for the rest of the day, with students and staff allowed to enter under an increased police presence through dismissal, according to a school spokesperson.

No injuries or arrests were immediately reported.

This is a developing story. Please check back with Greater Long Island for further developments.

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