On Thursday, April 28th, the Hobbs Police Department received a report of a firearm at Houston Middle School. According to a release by the HPD, someone reported seeing two males dressed in black and with ski masks enter the school with a firearm.
The report resulted in a brief lockdown of the school as police officers responded to the potential threat. The school’s own Resource Officers were the first to respond on-site to the incident, locking the school down “within seconds”. Police arrived to secure the perimeter of the school as a search of the premises took place.
“It was determined there was no credible threat located inside of the school,” the HPD stated in their release. Focus then turned to the surrounding areas where two people matching the description from the initial report were found.
The two were seen near Dalmont and Park, about 1400 ft from the school campus. The HPD detained the individuals, though no identities have been released or charges announced. One of the individuals was in possession of a black BB-gun, according to the HPD. An investigation is still underway.
“No other threats have been reported and Officers will continue to patrol the area around Houston Middle School, as well as all other Hobbs Municipal Schools for the remainder of the week,” stated the HPD. The headquarters of the HPD is only four blocks west of the school.
The commotion at the school quickly caught people’s attention and led to some posts on social media asking about the situation. “Houston Middle School was placed on a brief lockdown this morning based on a report received by Hobbs police,” explained Jeremy Neff in a discussion thread in a Hobbs-focused Facebook group.
Social media chatter started circulating about the incident around 11:00 am, and the HPD posted their release in the late afternoon which was met with great relief as nobody was harmed and no serious threat was discovered.
“Thank you to the person that called it in, the school resource officer and HPD for handing this!,” Leah Gatewood commented on the HPD Facebook page. Another commenter added, “Great job first responders!”
While it is legal to open-carry firearms in public, there are limitations, such as in schools and government buildings. In its release, the HPD reminded people to keep in mind the effects open-carrying can have on those around them. With mass shootings a common occurrence in the US, particularly at schools, any sight of a firearm in public can cause heightened tensions as bystanders have no way of knowing the carrier’s intent.
The HPD is asking for the public’s assistance as it continues to investigate the incident. Anyone with information should contact the Hobbs Police Department at (575) 397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at (575) 393-8005.
