PETERSBURG, Va. β Petersburg police are investigating a shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon outside Petersburg High School, prompting lockdowns at both the high school and Vernon Johns Middle School.
The incident happened during school dismissal time when gunshots were heard near the school parking lot. No injuries were reported, and no shell casings were found on school property.
"I was scared. I was most definitely scared. I didn't know what to do. I was panicking," said Tariq Plater, a sophomore at Petersburg High School who was near the parking lot when the shooting occurred. "All I heard was like shots just going off. Next thing you know, our ISS teacher, Mr. Whitehead was yelling, telling us to go back in the classroom, we're on lockdown."
When police arrived at the scene, they found multiple shell casings in the street area near the school lot exit, but investigators confirmed no casings were discovered on school grounds.
"We did not know if it was either actually on the school grounds or in the roadway. Units responded to the area and located multiple shell casings in the street area, but no shell casings were found on school grounds. There were no injuries to any persons at the school. There were no students hurt," a police spokesperson said.
Every available officer responded to the scene, along with state troopers, fire department personnel, and paramedics. A perimeter was established for parents to wait while both schools remained on lockdown for approximately two hours. School buses sat idle during the security response.
"We had officers canvass inside the school as well as the exterior wood lines and all vehicles on site," police said.
Petersburg Police say several people were sitting in the parking lot waiting for their children at dismissal time when the incident occurred. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call their tip line at 804-861-1212.
This is a developing story and we are working to learn more. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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