Champaign middle school locked down after gun reported nearby

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Jefferson Middle School in Champaign was placed on a hard lockdown Wednesday afternoon after students thought they saw a gun in a passing car.

Stacey Moore, the Chief Communications Officer for the Champaign School District, said a group of students outside on lunch recess reported the possible weapon. They were immediately escorted into the building and the building was placed on a hard lockdown.

Deputy Police Chief Geoffrey Coon said that due to the nature of the report, many officers were dispatched to the school to ensure safety and speak with eyewitnesses. After reviewing security video, officers later determined that the gun in question was actually a plastic toy gun. Coon said the Champaign Police Department believes the school was never in danger and the lockdown has been lifted.

Officers remain in the area to continue investigating and locate the car that had the toy gun inside. They will remain at the school through the end of the day.

Officers are also looking for any other witnesses and tipsters with information about this incident. Anyone who has further knowledge is asked to call the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545 or, to remain anonymous, Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477.

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