More than two weeks have passed since Duncan Middle School went into lockdown, following a police pursuit in the neighborhood near DMS, but the incident is not quite a distant memory yet.
On Oct. 27, Duncan Middle School went into lockdown, along with nearby elementary schools Horace Mann and Mark Twain. Because of the closeness to DMS, the middle school remained in lockdown longer than the elementary schools.
According to a CNHI story, the incident began with a police pursuit resulting in a wreck in front of Duncan Middle School. A weapon was thrown from the vehicle, and two suspects left the car behind, leading officers on a foot chase, according to the news story.
John Williams, who serves as the school’s resource officer, was on campus when the lockdown occurred.
“I was in the office looking at the cameras, and the radio went off about a crash in front of the school,” Williams said. “I went to check it out, and I came in, made sure everyone was inside.
“I told the office what was going on, and then we went on lockdown.”
According to the CNHI story, the suspects allegedly barricaded themselves inside a house, which lead to a standoff. One uninvolved female was inside the house during the standoff, which lasted more than an hour, according to the news story.
Duncan Public Schools took to its Facebook page during the incident to provide updates about the situation. The first emergency message went up about 2:54 p.m.
“Due to a police pursuit in the area, Duncan Middle School Horace Mann Elementary and Mark Twain Elementary are currently on lockdown out of precaution,” according to the Facebook post. “We will hold students and staff in the buildings until we receive and all clear from the Police Department.”
The next update came in around 3:14 p.m., when the lockdown ended for Horace Mann and Mark Twain schools.
According to the post, “Duncan Middle School will be releasing bus students and parents can pick up students on the north side of the building once the buses are released. Walkers and students that go to the Simmons Center will be held at school at this time.”
It wasn’t until around 4 p.m. when Duncan Public Schools received an all clear.
Williams said he thought the students and teachers did a great job dealing with the lockdown situation.
