Santa Teresa High School locked down for over 2 hours after threat triggers active shooter concern

SANTA TERESA, New Mexico -- Santa Teresa High School went on lockdown toward the end of the school day on Wednesday due to an active shooter concern that turned out to be a false threat, police and school officials said.

New Mexico State Police said a student made a verbal threat about 3 p.m., a half-hour before school was set to adjourn for the day.

A spokeswoman for the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to what they initially thought was an active shooter situation.

But a SWAT team later cleared the campus and determined there was no active threat as of 5:20 p.m., according to a spokesman for the Gadsden Independent School District.

NMSP said no gun was found and no arrests were made.

In addition to sheriff's deputies and state troopers, Sunland Park police and U.S. Border Patrol agents also responded to the scene. Streets were blocked off around the school and a helicopter hovered overhead until the all-clear was finally given.

No injuries were reported and officials didn't elaborate on the details of the threat that triggered the lockdown.