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Suspect who prompted El Mirage school lockdown is in custody. 3 parents arrested for trying to enter school while on lockdown

Officers were responding to reports of a suspicious person when the school was locked down. Police have since located the suspect.

EL MIRAGE, Ariz. — At least two parents were tased and three were arrested after trying to get on campus at an El Mirage elementary school Friday morning while the school was on lockdown.

Thompson Ranch Elementary School was put on lockdown after police said they received a call about a suspicious person at the school at 10:30 a.m.

Police said a man who appeared to have a handgun unsuccessfully attempted to gain access to the campus through an exterior door. The campus immediately went into lockdown and the man fled, never having gained access to the building.

Parents began to arrive at the school during the lockdown and became confrontational with officers when they weren’t allowed inside the school, officers with the El Mirage Police Department said in a news conference Friday afternoon. Three of those parents were taken into custody. 

After a few chaotic hours, officers were able to locate the suspect and he was taken into custody as well, police said. He is being evaluated by mental health professionals and criminal charges are pending.

Police said there is no longer a threat and the area is safe.

It's unclear what charges the parents may face. During one arrest, it was discovered that one parent also had a weapon, EMPD said. 

"In light of this, it is important to remind our community that anytime a lockdown is in place, nobody can enter or leave the campus," Dysart Unified School District said in a news release. "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. Additionally, schools are gun-free zones and it is a felony to possess a firearm on any school campus."

Thompson Ranch is part of the Dysart Unified School District. It's located near Grand Avenue and Thompson Ranch Road. 

Thompson Ranch Elementary School update. Today we received a call of a suspicious subject at the school. PD responded...

Posted by El Mirage Police Department on Friday, August 12, 2022

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El Mirage elementary school fue cerrada el viernes por la mañana después de que un hombre armado, al parecer intentara ingresar a la escuela

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