Belfair middle school placed on lockdown; district denies active-shooter report

BELFAIR, Wash. – The North Mason School District was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning after false reports of an active shooter on the campus of a middle school.

The Mason County sheriff's office said there were reports of an active shooter at Hawkins Middle School, but the district sent a tweet saying "law enforcement has determined there is not an active shooter on campus."

The district said "there have been no shots fired, no sign of any shooter."

Students were sent to be reunited with their guardians just after 2:30 p.m.

North Mason School District superintendent Dana Rosenbach said the sheriff’s department was at Hawkins Middle School investigating. The sheriff's department reported there were "lots of rumors flying around," but said they hadn't found any injuries.

The sheriff's office said multiple agencies were on the scene investigating, and that the school was being evacuated.

Just before 1 p.m., the district said there was no time set for when the search would finish and students would be released. Families who live south of campus will be able to meet their children at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Belwood Lane, and families who live north will be able to meet up at Theler Center.