From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

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For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: March 10, 2008

Contact:	Sergeant Mark Meister 541-265-4277 x4937 mmeister@co.lincoln.or.us
Incident:	Code red school lockdown at the Toledo High School
Date Occurred:	March 7, 2008
Time Occurred:	Approximately 11:33 am
Location:	Toledo High School

Summary:

Today at 1133 hours the Toledo High School staff placed the school on a code red lockdown as a result of the sound of gunshots in the area of the school track area. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to the location and were assisted by The Oregon State Police and the Toledo Police Department. The area was immediately checked and secured. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted an expanded search of the area to locate the source of the gunshots. Detective Tish Miller located the source of the gunshots at an address on Sturdevant Place about 1/4 mile from the school. Contact was made with the man at the residence who had fired around 7 shots while target practicing with his firearm while on his property. Further investigation determined that no crime had occurred since the firearm was being operated safely and within compliance of all county and state laws. The man apologized for causing the alarm and agreed not to target shoot during school hours or events.

Your Lincoln County Sheriff's Office commends the Toledo High School staff for their decisive and appropriate response to the potential threat to the students and the quick assistance from the Oregon State Police and the Toledo Police Department.

Your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be mindful of conduct around schools that can cause alarm. Because of the rural location of some schools in Lincoln County it is sometimes forgotten that rifles stowed on racks of vehicle coming to and from schools or target shooting near schools can cause alarm and precipitate a major event. Please give thought to your actions and conduct when in or around a school when the school is in session or during an after hours school event.

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