KOIN TV 6 reported that Vancouver city officials say police have detained one man

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School were in lockdown Thursday (Oct. 19) afternoon due to police activity in the neighborhood near the school.

In an email to families at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, district officials reported the following: 

“I want to make you aware of a Lockdown incident at our school that is due to police activity in the neighborhood. We went into a Lockdown protocol at around 1:15 today. The students are now in the building and law enforcement is currently on campus. We will update you once we know more about the situation. Please know we take these situations very seriously, and the safety of our students is always a top priority.’’ 

A second email was then sent at 1:52 p.m.: 

“We want to update you on the Lockdown situation here at our schools. At around 1:05 p.m. there was a 911 call with a report of  gunshots in the area. At this time there are no reports of any injuries and the Vancouver Police Department is currently on campus. We will keep our students in safety protocols until we are advised by law enforcement.’’ 

KOIN TV 6 reported Thursday afternoon that Vancouver city officials say police have detained one man, though police and K9 units were still in the area. Witnesses reported a heavy law enforcement presence around Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School.

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency sent a public alert to over 4000 residents within a one mile radius of Evergreen High School to shelter in place due to the ongoing police activity. Area residents were asked not to call 9-1-1 unless they had an actual emergency.

One report to Clark County Today indicated the lights at Evergreen High School were turned off during a portion of the lockdown and the students were instructed not to talk. The lights were later turned back on.

At 2:40 p.m., Evergreen High School Principal Danny Orrantia informed families that district officials were starting the process to transport students to the Administrative Service Center to be reunified with their parents and families:

“We want to update you that due to Police Activity in the area near Evergreen High School, the Vancouver Police Department has asked us to have a reunification/parent family pickup at our Administrative Service Center (ASC), 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver, WA 98664.  

“We are starting the process now to transport the students to the ASC. All students will be bused to the ASC. Walkers will need to walk home from the ASC. Students who drove to school will need to wait until law enforcement has cleared the area at the high school before they retrieve their vehicles. 

“The latest update we have on the incident is that there were reports of gunshots near  our school. At this time there are no reports of injuries, and we are cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. 

“We know that this is a stressful situation for families and students. We are working in partnership with law enforcement to make sure dismissal is as safe and efficient as possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.’’