Students safe after reports of shots fired near ACISD

Archer County Sheriff Jack Curd said all students are safe after a report of possible shots fired at Archer City ISD in the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Curd said dispatch received a call from the school of possible shots fire at 10:55 a.m. around the school.

“We responded. The school locked down just like they were trained,” the sheriff said. “They did an excellent job of locking down. They had kids on the playground and they brought them all in for lockdown. (…) We had a good result. Nobody is hurt and everybody is good. I feel real good.”

He added the Archer County Sheriff’s Office, Archer City Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Warden, Holliday Police Department and Texas Game Warden were among the many law enforcement agencies to show up.

The Sheriff said they were able to clear the school and get statements of a single shot which occurred half a block from the school district.

“We are not sure if it was a shot or a transformer,” Curd said. “ONCOR is saying a transformer blew about a half a block away which sometimes sounds like gunfire. But we have been unable to locate that. So, we are unsure of the origin of it. Right now, we feel pretty good that it did not have anything to do with the school it was just in the vicinity of the school.”

Archer City ISD Superintendent CD Knobloch has since confirmed that it was a transformer which blew and not a gunshot."

Our precautionary measures were initiated due to the unknown threat and intended to keep all students safe," an Archer City ISD Facebook post read. "We appreciate the coordination with local law enforcement to keep our staff and students safe."
 

"A loud noise just before 11 AM was heard near the elementary playground that was believed to be a gunshot," Knobloch said. "Out of abundance of caution we went on lockdown. This was an effort to make sure our staff and students were safe and secure. Our staff did an awesome job keeping our students safe and secure. After the lockdown we returned to normal classes. Our sheriff's department, city police, DPS and other first responders arrived quickly. They did a super job protecting our staff and students and are much appreciated. Afterward we learned the noise was a nearby transformer that blew. Most importantly, all were safe and sound when it was over. Many thanks to all who were there to keep our school community safe."

 This story will be updated as more information is provided.