'There was no active shooter' at Heights High School, says Houston police chief
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The call of an active shooter at Houston ISD's Heights High School Tuesday afternoon that prompted a huge police presence and panicked parents and students was a hoax, police said.
Law enforcement officers surrounded the campus located at 413 E. 13th Street on Tuesday afternoon, searching for a potential suspect as they cleared the campus. No suspect was found, no shots were fired, and no one was injured.
WATCH: ABC13 Breaking News coverage as events unfolded
A staging area was set up for parents at the corner of 306 E. 15th Street and Columbia Street to gather as information about the situation came into focus.
"The Houston Police Department and @HISDPolice continue to investigate the threat, though no evidence was found to substantiate the threat," the district said in a tweet.
SEE ALSO: Heights HS parents terrified but numb as early threat info was scarce
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turned issued a statement thanking the police force for their actions. "I want to thank Houston Police, Houston Fire, the Harris County Precinct One Constable's Office, and Houston ISD for their prompt response at Heights High School. While the reports of an active shooter turned out to be false, we are reminded that student safety and school security are paramount on the minds of students, parents and employees of all school districts. Today's response to the emergency calls reinforces how seriously our first responders take these incidents, and illustrates the constant training they undergo to take such quick and responsive action."
The hoax was one of several targeting school campuses across Texas and California on Tuesday afternoon. No arrests have been announced as investigations continue, but sources confirmed to ABC13 Investigates that at least four of the false alarm calls came from the same phone number.
SEE MORE: 12 schools go into lockdown after 'false alarm' threats in Texas and California on Tuesday
