May 25, 2023 - Mariposa County Sheriff Department officials report this morning a Mariposa County Deputy assigned as the School Resource officer at the high school received a report of a suspicious person on campus. The person was reported to be wearing a black hoodie (with the hood on), dark colored flannel, a black mask and a potential weapon hidden under their clothes.

Multiple Deputies immediately responded to the Mariposa County High School and Mariposa Elementary school, due to its proximity to the high school, and began coordinating with school staff and searching for the described person, while school officials placed the schools in lockdown.

Within moments of arriving on the campuses Deputies located a high school student matching that description. Utilizing video surveillance at the school, deputies and staff were able to confirm this student was the described suspicious person, they were eventually cleared by deputies and the student did not have any weapons. School officials then lifted the lockdown and students returned to their normal school day.

"I want to applaud the students at the high school who noticed the out of place behavior (hoodies and flannels in the heat) and the school officials who had clear and concise communication with our office and Deputies on scene. Our office has trained extensively for situations just like this, while I am happy this turned out to be nothing more than a suspicious looking student, I want to ensure parents, school staff and the community that the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office will respond to all threats to our schools swiftly and in force, which is absolutely vital when it comes to saving lives.," said Sheriff Jeremy Briese.

Update- 11:17- No threat to any students or staff was located. Schools have resumed normal business.

Updated-11:10- Subject has been cleared by Deputies, Lockdowns have been lifted.

Updated- 11:07- Deputies have located the subject.

Mariposa Elementary School and Mariposa County High Schools have been put in lockdown as a precautionary measure as Deputies search the area for a suspicious person.

Updates will be given as we get more information.
Source: Mariposa County Sheriff Department