Colfax High School was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of an unauthorized individual trespassing on school property, prompting an immediate response from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Colfax Elementary School was also placed under lockdown as a precaution while deputies worked to secure both campuses and ensure the safety of students and staff.
According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched after receiving reports that an unauthorized person had been seen on both school campuses. School administrators quickly implemented lockdown procedures while law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the area. During the lockdown, students and staff remained secured inside classrooms as deputies canvassed the campuses and surrounding locations.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., authorities confirmed that both Colfax High School and Colfax Elementary School had been cleared. The Sheriff’s Office announced that the unauthorized individual had left the area and no longer posed a threat. Following the clearance, the lockdown was lifted, and normal school activities gradually resumed. Officials confirmed that all students and staff were safe.
While deputies were already on scene, authorities also received a separate report of a single gunshot fired in the area near the schools. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this report was not related to the original trespassing incident that prompted the lockdown. Deputies conducted additional area searches to investigate the gunshot report, though no immediate connection between the two incidents was identified.
No arrests were made in connection with either the trespassing report or the reported gunshot, according to Sgt. David Smith, spokesperson for the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Officials stated that the individual involved in the trespassing incident had left the Colfax area before deputies arrived. Further details about the suspect or the circumstances surrounding the gunshot were not immediately released.
School officials worked closely with law enforcement throughout the incident to maintain safety protocols and provide updates as information became available. It was not immediately clear how long the schools remained in lockdown before being cleared.
Colfax High School, located on Ben Taylor Road, is part of the Placer Union High School District. Colfax Elementary School serves students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade and is the only school within the Colfax Elementary School District.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains ongoing and encouraged anyone with information related to either incident to contact local law enforcement. Officials also reminded the public to rely on verified updates from authorities and avoid spreading unconfirmed information during active investigations.