Look-alike firearms prompt Ferndale school lockdown

Ferndale High School and Ferndale Middle School were placed under lockdown on November 10 after reports that students had brought items resembling firearms to the shared campus. The lockdown was lifted after school staff and police responded to the report and searched the building and lockers, while accounting for students.

Ferndale Public Schools said the items were not real firearms. Officials identified the pupils, escorted them out, then notified their families. The district said there was no ongoing threat and that the incident was isolated.

The school day continued on its normal schedule. The pupils will be disciplined according to the school's behavior rules, and Ferndale police are investigating. The district said that items resembling weapons are prohibited at school and are treated as a serious matter, even if they are not real.

School counselors are available to students who feel unsettled by the lockdown. The district thanked staff and police for their response and students for following lockdown procedures.