3 teens detained with BB gun after El Paso High School lockdown due to reports of armed gunmen

EL PASO, Texas -- Police detained three teenagers with a BB gun after searching room by room in a locked down El Paso High School on Thursday morning following reports of gunmen at the school.

"Initial reports said there were three armed subjects in black walking into the school," according to a police spokesman.

Police later tweeted the three were being detained and officers had recovered a BB gun. ABC-7 crews outside the school observed officers taking teenagers into custody, and a school district spokesman said the trio never actually made it inside the building.

While the three youths were released by school district police come late afternoon, authorities said charges were pending.

As a precaution, authorities had continued to search the school even after the three teens were in custody; the scene was later cleared and the lockdown lifted as of 11:15 a.m., officials said.

Police vehicles had surrounded the school as law enforcement helicopters hovered over the building in central El Paso and nearby streets were closed for much of the morning. Surrounding middle and elementary schools were also put on lockout at the time, officials said.

Concerned parents were sent to the park on East Schuster Avenue at Brown Street during the ordeal, which is where they were briefed by authorities. Once the lockdown was lifted, school officials allowed students to be picked up right away at the Schuster entrance to the school - although some stayed in classes until the regular dismissal time.

School leaders said counselors would be available to students on Friday and increased security measures would be implemented.

The three reported subjects have been located and detained. In possession of 1 bb-gun. School locked down search of entire school continues for safe measure. https://t.co/rTQGDr2Opx

— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) January 30, 2020

El Paso High lock down lifted. Students may be picked up now or at regular pick up time. Pick up will be on Schuster entrance to the school.

— El Paso ISD (@ELPASO_ISD) January 30, 2020