Police: Gun found in student backpack at Clovis High

Clovis High School was locked down briefly Wednesday afternoon when "a firearm was recovered from a student's backpack by school staff," according to Clovis Police Chief Deputy Trevor Thron.

"The student took off running from the campus and is no longer on scene," Thron said in a text message to The News. "Officers are on scene and everyone is safe and okay."

Police were still trying to locate the student late Wednesday afternoon.

Thron said the gun is in officials' possession and the lockdown was lifted about 4 p.m.

Thron said the gun found was a pistol. He said no shots were fired.

School officials said the incident "was prompted when staff responded to the activation of a bathroom vape sensor. Upon learning a search was imminent as a result of the sensor activation, the student fled from the campus and staff subsequently located the weapon in a backpack that had been left behind."

School Superintendent Renee Russ referred questions to Clovis police, but did say "at this time we are unaware of any threatening statements made by the student."

Police were notified of the incident at 3:45 p.m., Thron said. School normally lets out at 3:50 p.m. but release was delayed.

It wasn't immediately clear if officials knew the identity of the student alleged to have had the gun. It also wasn't clear whether the gun was loaded or exactly what type of gun was found.