Schools
False Report to Police Prompts 'Secure the Building' Alert at West Springfield High
Fairfax County Police responded to a report Friday morning of a shooting in a West Springfield neighborhood that turned out to be false.
Police activity in West Springfield Friday had school officials on alert at a local high school.
Fairfax County Police responded to a 911 call at around 9 a.m. Friday, of a person who was shot in West Springfield, but police investigated the area where it was reported and came up empty-handed.
"Sometimes people call things in and they think they see things. There was nothing," said Fairfax County Police spokesperson Lucy Caldwell.
Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The call prompted a "Secure the Building" alert at nearby West Springfield High School.
"The school was briefly in 'Secure the Building' status because of police activity in the area," said John Torre, spokesman for Fairfax County Public Schools, in an email to Patch.
Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A "Secure the Building" alert means that exterior doors are locked, Torre said, and staff and students are still free to move about inside the building.
Police would not disclose the exact location of the alleged incident.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
