photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Numerous police officers are seen at the Burger King parking lot near Free State High School Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after reports of a person with a gun near Free State High School.

Updated at 12:46 p.m. Wednesday, May 7

Lawrence police responded Wednesday morning to the area of Free State High School after receiving reports of a person with a gun across the street from the school.

The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. near 4700 Overland Drive. Numerous police resources immediately responded to the area, police said on social media. There, they located a group of juveniles across the street from the school. One of the juveniles was found to be in possession of a pistol-style BB gun. Police seized the gun, then contacted parents. A report will be forwarded to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

“We are very appreciative of the student who reported seeing the individuals with the BB gun, and would always encourage anyone to immediately report safety concerns, as happened today,” the post said.

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

A police car is pictured Wednesday, May 7, 2025, outside Free State High School.

Some students indicated that the school was locked down during the incident. School district spokesperson Julie Boyle said in an email that “there was no lockdown,” but said the school’s administration “followed safety procedures, securing the building, ensuring all doors were locked, and closely monitoring anyone entering or exiting. Classes continued as normal.”

Police informed the district that they had located three individuals, “including one with a pellet gun,” Boyle said, adding that police indicated that there was no threat “toward the safety of the school.”

Amy McAnarney, principal of Free State High School, shared in a message to parents shortly before 11:30 a.m. that the school had secured and locked its exterior doors while police investigated the incident.

“Our classes continued as normal with us monitoring and searching anyone entering the building and ensuring those exiting the building did so safely,” McAnarney said in the email.

The incident was the second in two days involving a weapon being on or near school property. On Tuesday, police said that a parent had unintentionally dropped off a gym bag containing a gun to a student at Lawrence High School.