My kiddo just spent the afternoon in lock down at his high school.

[MontanaMama]

First and foremost, he's safe and sound.

My son texted me from school that he was in lock down and didn't know why. He told me he was in English on the 3rd floor of the building. While we were texting, I got an email from the principal that there was were reports of a firearm in the school, a threat made and police were responding. There were 3 subsequent emails from the principal keeping parents updated as the police did their thing. My kiddo sent me a snap chat video of police in the hallway with AR weapons drawn. It took my breath away.

It was all I could do to keep from driving to school to stand below the window where my son was sitting in the dark. Hellgate High School was also my high school...I know exactly where he was today. We got a final email stating that lock down would end at 3pm and there would be an assembly to debrief students and staff. Students would be dismissed shortly after. The police have identified the students making threats. I think the school did a great job keeping parents informed. This was the best possible outcome. I will probably be mad later but right now I am overwhelmed with emotion.

My adrenaline is spent. I am typing this to keep my self from turning into a puddle. I will get to hug my kiddo in exactly 38 minutes.

ETA/UPDATE: Three students detained.

[Wounded Bear]

1. Glad to hear he's all right...

[2naSalit]

2. Yikes!

What a nightmare! Glad it ended without deaths and injuries (?). And glad your son comes home safely today.

[MyOwnPeace]

3. Glad he's safe!

How special - your family got to have a part in celebrating the NRA’s freedumb!

[malaise]

4. They are obsessed with taking away women's rights and just as obsessed

with allowing their goons to own weapons and terrorize everyone including the children

[electric_blue68]

5. Gah! Glad he and the rest are safe!

[GemDigger]

6. Hang in there MM, just a few more minutes to go, it may feel like a lifetime but it's only a few mor

That is every parents nightmare and you have every right to be freaked the hell out.

[Bluethroughu]

7. I'm happy everything ended without any tragedy.

Hopefully those involved will get the help they need.

I'm not fond of having senario conversations with my kids, but it is nessesity now.

Take a deep breath, nobody was hurt today, but something has got to change.

[mcar]

8. What a terrible ordeal

So glad it ended well.

The trauma we are putting our children through.

[MontanaMama]

9. THIS.

The trauma our kids sustain in this environment is inexcusable.

[GPV]

10. I lived all thru their hs and college years dreading this very thing. *hugs*

[Runningdawg]

11. Was this at the school where a kid had a pistol in his backpack?

[MontanaMama]

16. My son says there is scuttle

about a gun in a backpack. I do not know if the weapon has been recovered. Three students have been detained. That’s all I know at this moment.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Yikes!!

That's one heck of a day!
Hope everybody takes it ok.

[seta1950]

13. And is this ok?

Children on lockdown, in fear for their lives, but no masks and guns ok😤😤😤😤

[csziggy]

14. News report: Lockdown lifted at Hellgate High School in Missoula

Lockdown lifted at Hellgate High School in Missoula
by NBC Montana StaffThursday, September 2nd 2021

MISSOULA, Mont. — The lockdown has been lifted at Hellgate High School in Missoula.

An email sent out to parents said the lockdown occurred after a report of a firearm on campus.

Students did confirm they sheltered in place for about 90 minutes.

"We had a few students indicate they had a firearm and were going to conduct a "school shooting". We identified the students and are working on next steps with police," said Principal Judson Miller in an email to parents.

A spokesperson said officers are searching for more information and a lockdown was a preventative measure.

More: https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/hellgate-high-in-missoula-on-lockdown

[MontanaMama]

17. The principal did a wonderful job keeping parents and students informed.

I got at least 4 emails during the lockdown. That communication kept me from driving to the school where I’m sure I would have been in the way.

[csziggy]

21. It sounds like he did a great job. I'm glad your child is safe

Heck, I'm glad ALL the kids in that school are safe. I hope the three that were planning to commit violence get some serious help so they will no longer be a danger to others, and themselves.

[niyad]

15. Huggggggs MM my heart stopped for a second.. so glad to hear they are safe.

How utterly terrifying.

Your DU family is here if you need us. Hug that precious one for all of us.

[MontanaMama]

19. Thank you niyad.

I had write it down to keep my tears in check. I so appreciate our DU family.

[WinstonSmith4740]

18. Just retired from teaching.

First of all, VERY happy this came out OK. We all know the discussion points,and it does appear as though the school stepped up and kept parents "in the loop", which is incredibly important.

I'm a little concerned about something that jumped out at me, though.

My kiddo sent me a snap chat video of police in the hallway with AR weapons drawn.

I don't know if the laws are the same everywhere. Here in Nevada, if a weapon is on campus, a hard lockdown is called. That means doors are locked, windows covered, lights off, KIDS TOTALLY QUIET and away from the door. NO cellphones, and no one up and around in the classroom. I always posted up at the door with a fire extinguisher. The idea is to make the room look empty. Keeping them off their cell phones was always a major victory in class. I've only been in a hard lockdown a couple of times, and neither involved guns, but I've never had a problem keeping them off their phones under these circumstances. Finding a gun in some kid's locker is different. That's handled on the down low, and you usually only hear about it through the school grapevine. That's happened, too. Kids will feel safe at home, and safe at school, but sometimes that walk to and from can get dicey.

Anyhow, my point is the teacher here screwed up. Your kid should have NEVER been allowed anywhere near that door to take those videos. That teacher potentially put kid's lives in danger, and the school needs to review procedures.

[MontanaMama]

20. Thank you for posting about your experience with lockdown procedure.

This was all new for me. I asked my kiddo if he took the video that he sent me and he did not…he got it from his buddy who took the video from another classroom. However, the same rules should apply, I would think and that’s something I will ask about.

[Lonestarblue]

22. So glad your son is safe!

Just reading your post made my stomach churn. I cannot imagine your worry! I think the US is bad for our health!

[Calista241]

23. I went to High School in the 90's and had a friend bring a handgun one day.

Well, not sure he was really a friend, but we sat next to each other in science class and got along well there.

He showed it to me, and i was like “that’s cool man.” Then we all just went home after school ended.

That’s it, that’s the end of the story. It never even occurred to me, or anyone else he showed the gun to, that he could shoot someone with it.

[Kaleva]

30. I'm old enough to remember when kids could take guns to school during hunting season

[3catwoman3]

24. The school is really named Hellgate High? Sheesh!

I thought you were making a social comment on it being an awful place, until I read the news item.

It is living up to its name today.

I'm so relieved for you that your son is safe. Every second must have felt an hour long until you got your arms around him.

[MontanaMama]

25. I am a Hellgate High alumni.

The high school is named for 50 mile long Hellgate Canyon on the eastern edge of town where the Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers converge. The canyon was named for a battle in which the Flathead Indians were defeated by the Blackfeet. It was referred to as the gates of hell.

I always thought it was a badass name for a high school….but then again I’m biased.

ETA: I am indeed happy to be home with my kiddo safe and sound. We’re all exhausted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellgate_Canyon

[ratchiweenie]

31. I attended Hellgate for one year. Then they changed the school boundaries. I lived on Blaine, just

3 blocks from Hellgate and had to walk all the way to Sentinel throughout the winter. Back then, we were not allowed to wear pants to school so it was a very long and cold walk. Missoula has very good schools. I think having their choice of teachers from the University helps. Love it here. So glad to be back.

[MontanaMama]

32. Missoula does have good schools.

We’re incredibly fortunate in that regard. You lived on Blaine? That’s just nuts that that ended up being within Sentinel’s bounda…it’s just a couple blocks from Hellgate!

My husband went to Sentinel…we have lots of fun ribbing each other about that long time rivalry. However, I must say that I was thrilled with our kiddo going to Hellgate…the school vibe reflects the hippie, creative, artistic, musical atmosphere of the town.

I love Missoula too. Glad to have a Zoo-town neighbor here on DU.

[ratchiweenie]

43. I loved Hellgate and my grandkids live with me and got to go there. Then came covid and they did

online academy. We bought a place in Lolo and the one still in high school is now at Sentinel and is already complaining that it's a "jock" school. It is a "jock" school but it also has very good teachers and great class offerings. I am so very happy to be home. Would love to have been able to afford a place in the Hellgate area but prices are so high now. We got a very run down old place in Lolo and are rehabing it. We have done lots of that so it's not so bad but right in the middle of the rehab my husband discovered he had a bad heart valve and then we discovered he had diabetes. Oh well. It will get done some day. At least we are back in Montana!!

We are sort of in lock-down mode again since he's not really well but once things get back to normal (if ever) I'd love to meet up and have coffee.

[MontanaMama]

44. I'm glad you're back home too.

That’s got to feel so good. Prices are stupid high on homes in Missoula. It’s ridiculous. If I hadn’t bought my house in 1995 I would never be able to afford it now.

We’re in semi lockdown too….we have a small business so are able to hunker down and do our thing. We figure that having a high school student is our biggest risk factor…and that’s enough for me. So…WHEN things get back to normal, I would love to meet up for coffee with you too!

[Evolve Dammit]

26. Jeezus H. That's what you all needed. Hope they arrest the perps and prosecute. Take care and

keep us posted MM.

[trof]

27. HELLGATE HIGH???

What a name for an institution of higher education.

[MontanaMama]

28. I went to Hellgate.

It’s a pretty badass name if you ask me. It was named for Hellgate Canyon east of town where the Flathead Indians were ambushed and defeated by the Blackfeet. And, yes the students chant “Give ‘em Hell-gate!” at sporting events.

[trof]

29. Man...y'all are sure different.

[GReedDiamond]

37. I can easily imagine a horror movie or tv series called "Hellgate High"...

...the plot possibilities are endless.

[MoonRiver]

33. So glad he's safe! You will have a joyous reunion!

[BlueMTexpat]

34. Oh, ye gods!

I am so sorry to hear this, but so glad that he is safe and sound.

As a born and raised Montanan, I taught at Missoula Sentinel High School for several years and loved it. My sons attended Washington Elementary School. I had many friends/colleagues at Hellgate High.

Missoula has always been a shining blue beacon in Montana. I still love the city and have good friends there, some of whom visit me as often as they can.

I am so thankful that no one was hurt.

[MontanaMama]

35. Thank you for your kind words about blue Missoula!

I love my little city as well. Yesterdays traumatic events ended as well as they did because of Hellgate teachers, administrators and law-enforcement. I was surprised to learn that the US marshals and the FBI were on the scene as well. Everyone did a phenomenal job.

ETA: my husband was a Sentinel Spartan and I was a Hellgate Knight… It is a bone of contention in our household. However, with our only child going to Hellgate, it’s 2-1.

[BlueMTexpat]

40. A very healthy

bone of contention, no doubt!

I loved both schools, but had to root for Sentinel, of course.

I left before Big Sky officially opened, but some of my Sentinel colleagues went on to teach there.

[Elessar Zappa]

36. Horrible.

My three cousins actually went to Hellgate in the 90s. Sorry to hear about an incident like this.

[MontanaMama]

38. It's a small world, isn't it?

It is such a well run school and so supportive of kids all all backgrounds. It is shocking to many of us that it happened there.

[Elessar Zappa]

39. My cousins loved it.

I’m from way down in New Mexico but I always enjoyed going to Missoula in the summer. One of my cousins transferred to a high school in a little town called French Lick because she liked the rural atmosphere but the other two were perfectly happy at Hellgate.

[CRK7376]

41. My school spent 3 plus hours in lockdown this past Wednesday due to threats.

Unfortunately one of our high schools, Mt Tabor (my wife is a Tabor grad), had an actual shooting and the student who was shot died at the hospital Wednesday afternoon. The young man that was the shooter was apprehended Wednesday afternoon. 2 lives destroyed in an instant.....My classroom was hunkered down, all the kids in the corner as far as possible from the door, lights off and livestreaming the events as they unfolded, their reactions, angry parents without information demanding the school release their child during the lockdown....Wednesday was a tough day at Parkland, Reynolds and Mt. Tabor High Schools in Winston-Salem, NC.

[MontanaMama]

42. Oh no.

I just so sorry. It hurts to read your post. I know how hard yesterday was for me and no shots were fired. I hope you have love and support around you. It takes my breath away to hear what you and your students went through.