Staff, students respond to shots fired call

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. – Staff and students of David Skeets Elementary School initiated a lockdown shortly before 3 pm today due to a call about possible shots fired near the school.

McKinley County Sheriff’s Office received the call at about 2:40 pm, and deputies were at the scene of the school at 1902 NM-602, near Jones Ranch Road, 10 minutes later.

MCSO Undersheriff James Maiorano said "a witness stated" that six to seven gushots were heard coming from the wooded area near the school campus.

"As a precaution the school went into a shelter in place and waited for law enforcement to arrive," Mairorano said."Deputies searched the area and the school compound but no damage was found."

A search of the surrounding area did not yield any additional information, he added.

Once the school area was deemed safe, staff, students and parents still remaining at the school were released.

"Navajo Nation Police were also on scene and we worked together to search the area," Maiorano said. "At this time no suspect is known."