UPDATE: Palatine High School Lockdown

Palatine High School was put into "lockdown" after police received a report of youths in possession of a handgun Wednesday.

At 12:30 p.m. PHS administrators confirmed the school was in a “soft lockdown due to an alert in the area.” On the phone the administrator said the school was “being very cautious.”

At least four Palatine police officers were stationed outside of the high school at 1111 North Rohlwing Road. An officer at the scene said “At this point we’re not saying what caused the lockdown.” According to police the school should post an update on its webpage soon and officers emphasized nothing had happened inside the school or on school grounds.

According to the school’s website, Palatine Police received a report that a witness saw several youths with a handgun at an apartment complex near Palatine High School around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Palatine police advised the school to go into a soft lockdown, which means no one is allowed to exit or enter the school.

Just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, most of the officers left the Palatine High School parking lot with one patrol car left in front of the building. At that time, administrators announced over the intercom that all after school activities have been canceled.

The message posted on the school’s website said classes will continue as scheduled and Palatine High School will continue working with police on the investigation. 

Patch will follow up on this story with updates when they become available.