Schools lockdown amid nearby SWAT incident, situation resolves safely
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Campuses of the Marble Falls Independent School District were locked down on the morning of Friday, Aug. 28, while the Marble Falls Police Department worked with the Austin Police Department’s SWAT team in response to an incident within the 1700 block of Mustang Drive. While schools were put on secure status and a small area was evacuated as a precaution, the incident was resolved safely by 1:30 p.m. according to MFPD officials.
According to a media release issued by MFPD following the incident, Marble Falls officers were attempting to apprehend a suspect wanted in a criminal investigation that originated in Austin. That suspect reportedly barricaded themselves inside an apartment on Mustang Drive on Friday morning. Personnel with APD, including SWAT and explosives ordinance disposal units, aided on the scene.
“Due to the law enforcement activity and out of an abundance of caution, an affected Marble Falls Independent School District campus was placed in secure status while officers worked to contain the scene,” reads the media release. “There was no known threat directed toward the campus or the general public.”
In a 1:30 p.m. update to DailyTrib, MFPD Chief Trisha Ratliff said that the suspect in an “active incident” had been taken into custody, bringing an end to a secure status that had been on Marble Falls High School and Colt Elementary School since about 8:30 a.m.
“There is no known threat to the public at this time,” Chief Ratliff wrote. “We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as this incident was brought to a safe conclusion.”
The chief explained that the details of the case could not be shared, as it is an active investigation, but did say MFPD officers were assisted by APD regarding an incident that had originated from circumstances connected to that agency.
MFISD released a statement on social media at around 8:35 a.m. regarding the matter, informing the public that MFHS and Colt Elementary were under a secure lockdown, keeping anyone from going in or out of the campuses, but that classes were to proceed as normal.
“Colt Elementary and Marble Falls High School are currently in a Secure status due to police involvement in an issue near the campuses,” read the 8:35 a.m. statement. “There is no threat to either campus at this time, this secure status is out of an abundance of caution.”