- An elementary school in EL Mirage, Arizona, was placed under lockdown after reports of an armed suspect in the area.
- Three parents were arrested after becoming "confrontational" with police officers.
- The suspect is in police custody, according to a spokesperson for the school district.
Three parents were arrested Friday morning outside an elementary school in Arizona, after attempting to force their way inside the building, according to police.
Thompson Ranch Elementary School in El Mirage, Arizona, was placed under lockdown Friday morning at 10:30 am after someone reported seeing a man with a gun near the school to the police, according to a statement from the El Mirage Police Department.
"It is important to remind our community that anytime a lockdown is in place, nobody can enter or leave the campus," Renee Ryon, a spokesperson for Dysart Unified School District, said, according to reports by local news outlet AZ Central. "This is done in partnership with law enforcement so they can clear each and every part of campus to ensure the safety of all students and staff."
According to AZ Central, three parents, one of whom had a firearm, were arrested outside the school after they had become "confrontational" toward the officer.
Two of the parents were tased with a stun gun by officers, and one of them was taken to the hospital to receive treatment, according to the outlet.
"During lockdown, it is very important that parents understand that nobody will be allowed on campus," Lt. Jimmy Chavez with El Mirage police said during a news conference on Friday afternoon, Az Central reported. "Several parents continued with their agitation, they had made several statements that they were gonna come on campus to help protect their kids. As a parent, I understand that philosophy, however there are procedures law enforcement and school are following."
During the lockdown, police officers found a suspicious package outside the school which explosive technicians later determined was not an explosive, according to the El Mirage Police Department.
The suspect, who attempted to enter the school through the exterior door but fled, was later in police custody and is being evaluated by mental health professionals, according to the police statement.