VIDEO: Here’s why Highland Park Elementary sheltered in place (updated Friday)

1:01 PM: Thanks for the tips. Highland Park Elementary families got a message that the school had been sheltering in place due to “suspicious activity” nearby. We checked with SPD, which says police have cleared the scene, and said a responding officer summarized the incident this way:

“At approximately 1033 hrs (a witness) saw the subject to the north of the school walking in the attached park. (The witness) stated that the subject was wearing all camouflage and had on a small backpack and was carrying what appeared to be a small rifle type case. (The witness) stated that the subject was looking around nervously and appeared to be suspicious to him. (The witness) took a video of the subject. I reviewed the video and I did not see any weapon, but it was not possible to see what he was carrying on his left side. … The subject was last seen around the bathroom on the park. A check of the park by myself and other responding officers did not locate the subject. The surrounding neighborhood also checked clear.”

We’re checking to see if the school has lifted the shelter-in-place.

1:53 PM: Parents have received an update from HPE’s principal saying they’ll continue sheltering through day’s end, and that police and district security will be there at dismissal time.

ADDED FRIDAY: We’ve received the video showing the “suspicious person” from the person who recorded it:

6 Replies to "VIDEO: Here's why Highland Park Elementary sheltered in place (updated Friday)"

  • Highland Park parent September 22, 2022 (1:40 pm)

    Definitely concerning. Any chance you could post the video for us to see?

    • WSB September 22, 2022 (1:53 pm)

      We don’t have the video; it was provided to police.

  • Me mama September 22, 2022 (1:44 pm)

    Thank you to the community member who reported this! Hopefully the anxiety about the situation didn’t spread among students 

  • Parent September 22, 2022 (2:01 pm)

    Thanks to the witness, school staff and principal. Thanks to the police for responding quickly. Lots of mentally unstable people roaming near the school. 

  • South Delridge Neighbor September 22, 2022 (2:32 pm)

    I hope they can locate the suspect. Thank you for the update!

  • Teri September 28, 2022 (9:49 pm)

    I saw this individual on either Friday or Monday on 11th, between Cambridge and Barton. He was walking on north on 11th, across the street from me.  He turned east onto Barton.

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