BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont United High School parents spent a few hours Thursday morning worrying about their kids after a gun was found and three students were arrested on campus following a sweep of the campus, according to Beaumont Independent School District Police Department Chief Joseph Malborough.
The situation was exacerbated by a power outage in the south end of Beaumont that, at one point, affected more than 2,000 Entergy customers including the Beaumont United campus and two other Beaumont Independent School District campuses. The outage also affected the Lamar University campus.
No shots were fired on the Beaumont United campus and no one was injured the district said in a news release.
Administrators at Beaumont United notified parents at about 9:20 a.m. that power was out at the school which caused the campus to be put on a "lockout."
At about 10 a.m. parents were notified that classes would be dismissed early along with the Bingman Head Start and Odom Academy campuses.
Parents were told they could start picking up students then and were asked to get them by 11:15 a.m., according to a district spokesperson.
Just before 10:30 a.m., the district was notified by Beaumont Police of "criminal activity" in the area of the Beaumont United Campus, the spokesperson said.
The Beaumont United campus was then immediately put on a "lockdown" and the release of students was halted, according to the spokesperson.
At some point after that three male students were seen jumping a fence and entering the Beaumont United campus, according to Malbrough.
Beaumont ISD Police and Beaumont Police officers responded to the area as concerned parents were still showing up outside the campus to collect their children.
At one point, Beaumont Police told 12News that they had responded to a report of someone shooting a gun near but not on the Beaumont United campus.
During a sweep of the campus by Beaumont and BISD Police officers, three male students were arrested and one of them had a gun, according to Chief Malbrough.
Videos being posted on social media appear to show someone being taken away from the campus in handcuffs and one shows what appears to be officers possibly taking someone into custody amongst students in a classroom. Police or the district have not confirmed or commented on the videos.
Students were finally released from the campus at 12:05 p.m. after the lockdown was lifted and the early dismissal due to the power outage was reinstated the district said.
Classes will resume at their normal time on Friday the district said.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
From the Beaumont Independent School District...
Beaumont United lost power this morning, October 21, 2021, at 9 a.m. While responding to the power outage, Beaumont United administrators were notified by the Beaumont Police Department of an unrelated incident involving a student possibly being in possession of a firearm on campus. Campus administration immediately locked down the facility and worked with law enforcement to apprehend the students involved. No shots were fired on campus and no students or staff were injured. At this time, the campus is secured and the lock down has been lifted. As such, the early release at Beaumont United due to the power outage has been reinstated and students will be released from school beginning at 12:05 p.m.
BISD applauds the Beaumont ISD Police Department, Beaumont Police Department and administrative team at Beaumont United for their decisive leadership in unpredictable circumstances. When classes at Beaumont United resume, students will be provided access to counselors for additional support.
Pervious releases from BISD...
Bingman Head Start, Beaumont United High School, and Odom Academy will be closed for the remainder of the October 21, 2021 school day due to an unexpected power outage this morning.
Parents and guardians may now pick their students up from school. Bus students will be picked up by 11:15 a.m. to be transported home.
School will resume tomorrow morning, October 22, 2021. All other campuses are operating as usual and will not have an early release.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
BU Lockout: Beaumont United High School has been placed on lockout.
At this time, we are asking that no guests visit the campus until the lockout has been lifted.
The dismissal due to power outage is being put on hold until the lockout is lifted.\
Our students are safe on campus and will remain there until further notice.
We will contact you again when the secure lock out is completed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.