Benicia High School Lockdown Today – A disturbing incident unfolded at Benicia High School earlier today, as the campus was placed under lockdown in response to reports of a possible gunshot near school grounds. The quick action of school officials, law enforcement, and emergency responders ensured that no injuries occurred, though the event left the school community shaken. As of this afternoon, police have confirmed that no firearm was found, but an investigation into the source of the reported sound is still underway.
The event began around 10:50 a.m., when a student heard what they believed to be a gunshot near the rear parking lot of the school. The student immediately reported the noise to a teacher, who then alerted the school administration. Adhering to established safety protocols, the school was promptly placed on lockdown, with all classrooms being secured and students instructed to stay inside. This precautionary measure was taken to ensure the safety of everyone on campus while law enforcement assessed the situation.
The Benicia Police Department, along with deputies from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, responded quickly to the scene. Officers were on-site within minutes and established a secure perimeter around the school. They began conducting a methodical search of the campus, aided by canine units and a drone team that scoured both the school grounds and surrounding areas for any potential evidence of a firearm or other suspicious activity.
By mid-afternoon, authorities had yet to confirm that any gunshot had been fired. While police verified that a loud noise was reported by witnesses, there has been no discovery of a firearm or injuries. The lockdown remained in effect for over two hours, as law enforcement thoroughly checked each building on campus to ensure the safety of all students and staff. At approximately 1:15 p.m., the lockdown was lifted, and students were released to their families, but only under close supervision.
In a statement issued after the lockdown ended, Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Damon Wright praised the swift actions of both the school staff and first responders, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in such situations. “We take all threats and reports of potential violence extremely seriously,” Dr. Wright said. “While we are relieved that no weapon has been discovered and no one was hurt, today’s incident underscores the importance of preparedness and swift action. We are grateful to our students, staff, and first responders for their calm and professionalism.”
The event understandably caused anxiety and concern for parents, many of whom gathered at the school or nearby streets while waiting for updates. Michelle Ramirez, a parent whose daughter is a junior at Benicia High, expressed her shock upon receiving the initial text alert about the lockdown. “My heart dropped when I got the text alert. You never expect it to happen at your kid’s school,” Ramirez said. “I’m just so thankful everyone is okay.”
As of now, the police investigation is ongoing. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, speaking with students and staff, and working to determine whether the loud noise was indeed a gunshot, and if so, the source of the sound. It is also possible that the sound was from something other than a firearm, or it could have originated off-campus.
In the aftermath of the lockdown, additional counseling and crisis support services have been made available to help students process the traumatic event. Many students have expressed that while they have participated in lockdown drills in the past, experiencing such an event in real-time has been both surreal and frightening.
Authorities have asked anyone with relevant information to come forward as they continue to investigate the situation. Further updates are expected later this evening as the investigation progresses.