ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque Police says officers have secured Del Norte High School after reports of shots fired near the school at Montgomery and San Mateo Wednesday afternoon. No one was hurt.
The event unfolded around 12:27 p.m., sparking a massive police response around the lunch hour. Police say reports indicated several shots were fired outside of the building.
In a news briefing Wednesday afternoon, APD Communications Director Gilbert Gallegos said “it appears shots were fired in the parking lot, street area. On scene, KRQE News 13’s camera captured footage of what appears to be bullet casings in the south entrance of the parking lot of the school, along Montgomery.
Albuquerque Public Schools Police is now looking into the case. No suspect has been identified or detained.
“APS Police is going to take the lead on the investigation into the shooting,” Gallegos said. “APD will assist in terms of collecting evidence and helping out in a supportive role.”
Del Norte High School was put into a shelter in place status amid reports of the shooting. By roughly 2 p.m., Gallegos said APD officers had cleared the building, finding no threat to students.
“Officers were able to clear the school, they went floor by floor and determined there was no more danger to students,” Gallegos said. “There was never a danger inside the school, they were able to determine, as well.”
Following an “all clear” from Albuquerque Police, students were released at their normal 2:20 p.m. dismissal. Parents picked their kids up on campus, after the school scrapped an initial plan to use an offsite reunification area.
Reacting to the events Wednesday, many parents rushed to the scene. One family that didn’t want to be identified spoke of their fear.
“I’m just hoping to see my little sister here soon and hopefully all the other kids get to go home back to their families,” the family said. “I see all the parents and siblings their worried faces.”
No injuries have been reported, according to APD. The department says it is continuing to review surveillance video to see where exactly the shots may have come from and who or what they may have been directed at.
In an initial review of surveillance video from inside the school, APD says investigators did not see any suspicious activity inside the school or anyone carrying a weapon. Statistics from APS’ website indicate Del Norte has roughly 1,071 students in grades 9 through 12.
Eastbound and westbound Montgomery Boulevard were shutdown east of San Mateo during Wednesday’s response. The high school is located along Montgomery, just east of San Mateo Boulevard.
