Hays Post

At about 1:15 p.m. Thursday USD 489 put Hays High School and Hays Middle School on exterior lockdown on the request of the Hays Police Department.

A text alert was sent to parents.

HPD officers were investigating an armed robbery that occurred in Russell County and had reason to believe a student or students at one of the schools might have information regarding the crime. A vehicle believed to be connected to the robbery was found in the HHS parking lot, HPD Chief Don Scheibler said.

HMS was cleared in about 15 minutes at 1:30 p.m. HHS remained on lockdown until about 2:30 p.m., said Superintendent John Thissen.

At about 2:30 p.m., a second text alert was sent to parents, saying the school was clear of the lockdown.

“We’re safe and will dismiss at normal time,” the alert said. “Communication will continue with HPD to monitor the situation.”

Thissen said no students were taken into custody at either school Thursday as a result of the HPD investigation.

However, Scheibler said suspects were taken into custody in connection with the crime in Hays on Thursday.

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of the case and had no comment as of Thursday afternoon.

The HPD continues to investigate the crime, he said.