Local and state law enforcement agencies are investigating a “swatting” incident that triggered lockdowns at Eureka schools on Tuesday, August 25.

The incident began when the Eureka County Dispatch received a report from Eureka Elementary School stating that school officials had received a telephone call alleging a threat against the facility.

Eureka County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) deputies responded to the scene within minutes of the initial report. To ensure student safety, both Eureka Elementary School and Eureka High School were placed on lockdown.

Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office coordinated on-site with personnel from the Nevada State Police, the Nevada Division of Investigation and the White Pine Sheriff’s Office to clear the buildings and verify that no active danger existed for students or community members. Once investigators determined that the threat was not credible, the lockdown was lifted. Law enforcement officers remained on campus through the end of the school day.

Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed that the incident was a fake threat, commonly known as a swatting call. The Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the Nevada Division of Investigation to identify and locate the person or individuals responsible.

“ECSO treats any threat to our children and community as our top priority,” Sheriff Miles Umina said. “ECSO will exhaust all avenues to find the person responsible, and Eureka County will prosecute them.”

Umina also expressed gratitude to assisting partners, including the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Nevada Division of Investigation, the White Pine Sheriff’s Office, Elko County, Eureka EMS, the Eureka County School District and the Nevada State Police.

The investigation into the source of the swatting call is ongoing.