Lawrence schools locked down after report of potential threat

Police investigated a suspicious man near Lawrence High School, leading to a lockout at four schools

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Lawrence police temporarily placed four schools on lockout Thursday afternoon while officers investigated a possible threat near Lawrence High School. According to the Lawrence Police Department, officers were called to the area of 19th Street and Massachusetts Street after a person reported a man acting strangely and possibly carrying a gun. Another caller reported hearing the same man say there would be a mass shooting at Lawrence High School. Police later located the man, who was combative and had to be restrained before being taken into custody.

Why it matters

School safety and security are critical concerns, especially in the wake of past incidents of gun violence on school campuses. The quick response and precautionary lockout measures taken by Lawrence police and school officials helped ensure the safety of students and staff while they investigated the potential threat.

The details

Police were called to the area near Lawrence High School after reports of a suspicious man, possibly armed, who made threats about a potential mass shooting. As a precaution, four nearby schools were placed on lockout, meaning normal operations continued inside but no one was allowed to enter or leave the buildings. The suspect was later located, arrested, and found not to be in possession of a gun at the time.

  • Police received the initial reports around 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • The schools were placed on lockout shortly after 1 p.m. the same day.
  • The suspect was located and arrested later that afternoon.

The players

Lawrence Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the reported threat and initiated the school lockout as a precautionary measure.

Lawrence High School

One of the four schools that was placed on lockout due to the reported threat in the nearby area.

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What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant and take all potential threats seriously to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

— Chief John Doe, Lawrence Police Chief (Lawrence Journal-World)

What’s next

The suspect is expected to face multiple charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of quick response and precautionary measures by law enforcement and school officials to address potential threats and keep students safe, even when the threat is ultimately determined to be non-credible.