San Benito High School and R.O. Hardin Elementary School were in
lockdown mode for about 30 minutes today starting around 11:45 a.m.
when police received a report of a man walking in the area wearing
a
”
Jason
”
mask and carrying a knife or blade.
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HOLLISTER
San Benito High School and R.O. Hardin Elementary School were in lockdown mode for about 30 minutes today starting around 11:45 a.m. when police received a report of a man walking in the area wearing a “Jason” mask and carrying a knife or blade.
Hollister police called for the lockdown at the two schools when officers received the report of a white male carrying a three-inch knife or blade – and wearing a mask of the fictional horror movie character – walking in the area of Suiter and A streets, said Officer Rosie Betanio, the HPD spokeswoman.
“For precautionary reasons they locked down the high school and R.O. Hardin,” Betanio said. “They did a sweep on both schools, and everything was clear.”
SBHS Superintendent Stan Rose stressed there had been no “immediate threat” to the campus before authorities cleared officials to end the security precaution.
“There wasn’t an immediate threat to the school,” Rose said. “It seemed to be a threat in the area.”
He went on: “There was never any threat or danger to life and limb here. It was just what we do when we’re asked to for precaution.”
Rose could not recall another lockdown since he joined the district in 2006 while noting they are infrequent.
