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No charges filed following Hellgate HS lockdown

Hellgate HS lockdown
Hellgate HS lockdown
Hellgate HS lockdown
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MISSOULA — No charges have been filed in connection with Thursday afternoon’s lockdown at Hellgate High School.

Missoula Police Department Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold says three juveniles involved -- and their parents -- have provided statements and at this time no charges are being filed against the youths.

However, "pending review of the case, the City and/ or County Attorney’s offices may proceed with charging," a news release states.

The juveniles were released to their parents after providing statements on Thursday. The incident involved a report of a gun on campus.

Hellgate HS lockdown
Students returning to class following a lockdown at Hellgate High School on Sept. 2, 2021.

Arnold says MPD and Hellgate High School “received a very credible report of a threat towards the school involving a firearm.” However, detectives have determined a firearm was not directly involved in the incident and only the threat of one was.

“A threat of violence towards a school has a wide spread impact. The swift, and professional response from Principal Miller, faculty and staff, as well as all the involved law enforcement helped resolve a critical incident at the school,” Arnold noted.