photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Lawrence Police Department vehicles are shown parked outside of Billy Mills Middle School on Oct. 9, 2025.

Billy Mills Middle School students were evacuated to a nearby football field Thursday after a social media post mentioned a weapon being on campus, according to Lawrence police. Nothing concerning was found in the building, police said.

Police officers and school staff shortly before 1 p.m. were working to ensure no students were hiding anywhere in the school, which went into lockdown at 11:25 a.m.

The original post regarding a weapon came from Snapchat, and detectives were working to contact Snapchat to get information on the post, but the person who allegedly posted was yet to be identified. The person who reported the post did not know who the post originally came from.

“To be clear, no one has been injured, and there is no known danger to anyone at the school,” police said on social media at 12:30 p.m.

Buses were being brought to the school at 2734 Louisiana St. so that students could be released in a safe and coordinated manner.

By 2:15 p.m., police said only a handful of students remained at Billy Mills as officers conducted a final sweep of the school. All students were required to leave personal items for clearance. Police called in a firearm detection dog in an efficiency effort and to limit intrusive measures. Police said they had “identified the circumstances that promoted the response” and would complete a thorough investigation.

A news release from the school district said that while school is not in session on Friday, the building would be open between 8 a.m. and noon for students to collect any belongings left behind during the evacuation.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Police vehicles are pictured outside Billy Mills Middle School on Oct. 9, 2025.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Law enforcement and staff members are pictured outside of Billy Mills Middle School on Oct. 9, 2025.