According to a press release from the Fort Dodge Police Department, there was a potential threat involving the use of a firearm by a student at the campus. However after the initial investigation, law enforcement said there is no reason to believe that students and staff were ever in any danger.

The threat was reported by staff to the FDPD school resource officer around 2:08 p.m.

Following established policies and procedures, the school was immediately placed in a secure lock down “so that the safety and security of students and staff was best accounted for while a full investigation was conducted,” according to the press release.

All available FDPD officers and Webster County sheriff’s deputies responded. At 2:50 p.m., FDPD Capt. Dennis Quinn told The Messenger that one person had been taken into custody and that there was not a shooting and no injuries. At that time, the school remained on lockdown as law enforcement went through the building.

-Photo courtesy of Amanda Peart
The Fort Dodge Police Department responded to a threat involving the use of a firearm by a student at Fort Dodge Middle School on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are just being cautious and careful, keeping everybody’s safety in mind,” Quinn told The Messenger.

At about 3 p.m., the school district sent an email to FDMS parents notifying them that the potential threat had been contained and that “things may be a little slower than usual at dismissal.” All afterschool activities at the middle school were canceled.

“The swift action by students and staff, along with a collaborative effort by the Fort Dodge Community School District, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Webster County Attorney’s Office led to this swift resolution,” Quinn said in a press release. “We would like to thank the parents and students impacted by this unfortunate incident for their patience and understanding while local law enforcement conducted the investigation.”

The student who was taken into custody was charged with making a threat of terrorism (a Class D felony) and first-degree harassment (an aggravated misdemeanor). The student will be transported to the Central Iowa Detention Center in Eldora to await criminal proceedings. Authorities have not released the student’s name.

The FDPD is continuing to investigate this incident and encourages anyone with information to contact law enforcement or send an anonymous tip to Webster County Crime Stoppers by texting “LEC” and the tip to 274-637. Crime Stoppers can also be contacted anonymously by calling 515-574-1444.