SAN ANTONIO — A lockdown has been lifted for several Judson ISD schools that went into effect around 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. It affected Metzger Middle School (which was on a full lockdown), as well as Escondido Elementary School, Woodlake Elementary School and Woodlake Hills Middle School (which were on perimeter lockdowns), after there were reports of shots fired nearby, officials said.
"When deputies were out on perimeter, they did hear additional gunshots. However, it should be noted that there's an area near here where it's frequented by dove hunters," BCSO's Sheriff Javier Salazar said. "We did make contact with a dove hunter who did say he did fire several shots, but we don't know at this point if what the initial neighbor heard - the initial complainant heard - was those gunshots, so in an abundance of caution, we continued to check out the perimeter around the school while the school police, Judson ISD, did a fantastic job of working with us and locking down the interior of the school."
Salazar said they used K9 units, and BCSO's Mounted Patrol happened to be in the area, so they were able to check the greenbelt near the facilities as well.
He went on to say that they have a plan for the afternoon – to keep patrolling the area, but he said he did not believe there was a continuing threat. Salazar was joined by Judson ISD's Deputy Superintendent of Administration and Operations, Dr. Milton R. Fields, III also spoke at an update provided at the scene, giving some insight as to what the difference is between a lockdown and a perimeter lockdown.
"Perimeter lockdowns let the students move more freely inside the campus, but no one's able to go in and out," he said. At Metzger, Dr. Fields said, the students were made to stay inside the classrooms because they had a full lockdown.
Dr. Fields thanked BSCO for its quick reaction to what was going on. He said an administrator would be on hand to greet parents who wish to take their children home.
A spokesperson for Judson ISD had updated local media about an hour into the incident, saying: "The full lockdown at Metzger MS has been lifted and they are now in a perimeter lockdown. Students can move around inside the building, but may not enter or exit the building at this time. We will provide updates as they are available."
Also, earlier in the day as events were unfolding, BCSO reacted to the incident, saying:
"Earlier this morning just before 9 AM shots were heard in close proximity of Metzger Middle School, in Northeast Bexar County, prompting a lockdown. Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputies and Judson ISD Police responded immediately, established a perimeter around the school, and checked all staff and students at the school for safety. ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE SAFE, NO INJURIES."
BCSO had said deputies were on the scene while additional shots were heard north of the campus, prompting the lockdowns:
"At this time Bexar County Sheriff‘s Deputies are attempting to locate this individual. Avoid the area, traffic will be delayed, updates will be provided as they come in."