Yesterday afternoon (May 9, 2023) deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received information that some Mapleton Elementary students observed a person wearing dark clothing and possibly armed with a rifle near the school track. The person reportedly departed on foot into a nearby tree line and something that sounded similar to several gunshots was heard from the general direction. The Mapleton schools were placed on lockdown and multiple law enforcement agencies including the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Florence Police Department, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded.
A substantial search of the area failed to locate any armed persons or other suspicious conditions. Investigators contacted an area resident who had been conducting residential repairs with a loud nail gun at approximately the same time that the possible gun shots were heard.
It remains unclear if the person spotted by the track was armed with a firearm or carrying another item at the time that they were observed by students.
Investigators believe there to be no threat to the public. Classes at the Mapleton School District have resumed normal operations as of today. As a precaution the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police provided an extra presence in the area today.
We are transporting students to the old Banner Bank and Food Share for student pickup and to sort out transportation.
Hello Mapleton families,
All students are currently safe and secure and we are in a lockout status. Our students reported a potential threat on our campus and we immediately locked down. We have a large police response to the campus and are grateful for their quick response to assess the situation both on the ground and in the air. Please stay clear of the campus as we cannot let cars on campus. We will update communications through Remind App and Flash Alert as we have new information. This will include information about student pick up and buses.