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TAYLORSVILLE — Three teenage boys are being questioned by police following a report of a shot or shots being fired in the parking lot at Taylorsville High School, prompting the lockdown of several schools on Thursday.
No injuries were reported. Taylorsville police Thursday night continued to search for at least three others believed to be involved in the incident.
According to police, "there was an altercation between students in the parking lot of the school" and a shell casing was found outside. Out of concern that some of those involved went into the high school, it was placed on lockdown until it could be cleared by officers, according to Granite School District officials.
The shooting was reported around 12:30 p.m. Taylorsville Police Sgt. Jake Hill said six students are believed to have gotten into a confrontation in the parking lot of the school, located at 5225 S. Redwood Road. At some point, one or two shots were fired, he said.
The confrontation involved teens between the ages of 15 and 17, Hill said. At least one of the teens is a student at the high school and possibly more, but Hill said not all of the teens have been identified.
After the shots were fired, the group ran off. Two boys found by police in a nearby neighborhood were detained for questioning. Based on surveillance video collected by detectives, four others managed to make their way back into the high school, Hill said. One of those teens was also detained by police, but the others managed to leave the building again before officers could find them.
Hill said the suspected gunman is believed to be one of three teens detectives were still looking for Thursday night.
Taylorsville High students Matisse and Gabe Hasler told KSL-TV about the frightening experience.
Matisse Hasler said she knew it wasn't a drill because earlier that morning the school had a fire drill. Her brother, Gabe, said although they had done drills before for active shooters, he was still terrified.
"I hear uh, there's a gun on campus and I'm just like terrified," Gabe Hasler said. "We trained for this, but when it actually ends up happening it's ... a lot's going through your mind."
Matisse Hasler said she texted her mom and brother "I love you" during the anxious wait before the lockdown was lifted.
"Hey, don't try to be a hero. I can't live without you," Gabe Hasler said he texted to his best friend.
District administrators said school will resume as normal at Taylorsville High Friday, but they are providing crisis counseling for any student or staff who needs it.
In addition to the high school, nearby Plymouth Elementary, 5220 S. 1470 West, and Hartvigsen Elementary School, 1510 W. 5400 South, were placed on "lockout protocol," meaning school proceeded as normal on the inside, but no one was allowed to enter the buildings. The lockout at Hartvigsen was lifted at 2:20 p.m. and at Plymouth a short time later.
Vista Elementary and Bennion Junior High were also temporarily placed in "lockout protocol," but that was lifted not long after being enacted, according to the district.
"Very grateful for parents and their patience to work through this, it can be a little bit nerve wracking," Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley said. "I want to reiterate our compassion and our empathy — these are our kids, too. We want to make sure they are ultimately very safe and we are very grateful of the robust police response."
Contributing: Matt Rascon
