Updated: Oakland schools on lockdown after Western Psychiatric shooting
March 8, 2012
Multiple schools in Oakland have gone on lockdown after a shooting at Western Psychiatric… Multiple schools in Oakland have gone on lockdown after a shooting at Western Psychiatric Institute has left multiple people injured.
The lockdowns come after a shooting at Western Psychiatric Institute on Pitt’s campus. The University sent out an Emergency Notification Service alert just after 2 p.m. stating that at least one shooter was active in Western Psych and multiple people had been injured.
The alert said “Lock-down recommended until further notice. If safe to do so, tell others of this message.”
Police are currently searching the building, and there is not any more information available about the shooter or the victims.
School officials said that Central Catholic and The Campus School of Carlow University, both about a mile from the Western Psychiatric Institute, also went on lockdown Wednesday in response to news of the shooter.
Andrew Wilson, a spokesperson for Carlow University, said that he received a text message at 2:47 p.m. that said The Campus School, a day school for infants to 8th graders, would be going on lockdown.
“We’re just waiting to hear what to do next,” he said about the continuation of the lockdown until the school receives the go-ahead from police to lift it.
Carlow’s college students are currently on spring break.
Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy, on 107 Thackery Avenue, is currently on modified lock down, according to Ebony Pugh the senior media relations manager for Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Pugh said that no one can enter or leave the school until further notification from the school police.
The school day ends at 3:20 p.m., however Pugh said that she does not know when the lock down will be lifted.
“Typically if there’s something in the community we will lock down the school to ensure the students are safe,” she said.
Check out pittnews.com and twitter.com/thepittnews as more information becomes available.