School locked down for hours

An unconfirmed report of a gunman running onto campus prompted school district officials to cordon off Betty Plasencia Elementary School, west of downtown, for roughly four hours Wednesday, authorities said.

The incident began about 3:45 p.m. The lockdown forced about 25 staff members and 350 students -- participants in an after-school program -- to wait out the scare. Most were housed in the auditorium.

In February, fatal gang-related shootings led to tense lockdowns at schools in Cypress Park and Glassell Park. Although children were kept safe, officials were criticized for leaving many students without food. This time, administrators tried to resolve that problem, providing peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches, fruit, juice and water, said Susan Cox, district spokeswoman.

The lockdown ended at 7:50 p.m. No gunman was found by searchers, authorities said.

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-- Howard Blume