Lockdown at South Los Angeles Middle School Following Report of Possible Shooting — No Weapon or Injuries Found Los Angeles, CA – October 16, 2025
A tense afternoon unfolded Thursday in South Los Angeles when a report of a possible shooting at Los Angeles Academy Middle School and STEAM Magnet prompted a full lockdown and a massive response from Los Angeles Police Department officers and school district police. The incident, which began around noon near Slauson Avenue and Avalon Boulevard, sent waves of fear through students, parents, and staff — but thankfully, authorities have since confirmed that no shots were fired, no weapon was recovered, and no one was injured.
According to investigators, the alarm was raised after a student accused another student of possibly having a firearm on campus. Officers from the LAPD and Los Angeles Unified School District Police immediately responded to the call, detaining the student in question and launching a comprehensive search of the school grounds. The campus was swiftly placed on lockdown as law enforcement conducted a room-to-room sweep to ensure the safety of everyone inside.
Video captured by AIR7 HD showed a heavy police presence surrounding the school, with numerous patrol cars parked at the main entrance as officers, armed and cautious, moved methodically through hallways and classrooms. Helicopters hovered overhead as parents gathered outside the perimeter, anxiously awaiting word on their children’s safety.
Authorities confirmed that, despite the alarming report, no firearm was found during the search, and there was no evidence of a shooting. The detained student remained in police custody for questioning as investigators worked to determine the credibility and circumstances of the accusation.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) released an official statement reassuring families and the community:
“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our top priority. Our campus remains on lockdown due to a report received from a community member regarding a possible weapon on campus and an alleged shooting. The administrative team acted swiftly to address the matter with local law enforcement.
Please note that we have no reported injuries and no evidence of a shooting. Students and staff remain safe at this time, while law enforcement and region staff continue to respond. We are continuing to follow District protocols, and all students and staff are safe. We will provide you with updates as they become available. Thank you.”
The school’s swift response and the strong coordination between campus security and law enforcement were widely praised for ensuring the situation was contained quickly and safely. Still, the fear and uncertainty experienced by students and parents highlighted the ongoing anxiety surrounding potential acts of violence in schools nationwide.
Parents outside the campus expressed both relief and frustration — relief that the situation turned out to be a false alarm, and frustration that schools must remain vigilant in the face of constant safety concerns. “It’s terrifying,” said one mother waiting near the police line. “You get a call about a possible shooting, and your heart just drops. Even if it’s not real, the fear is.”
The Los Angeles Academy Middle School and STEAM Magnet serves hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds, focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education. In recent years, the campus has worked to promote a positive learning environment, with an emphasis on innovation, safety, and student well-being — values that were put to the test during Thursday’s scare.
As the lockdown continued into the afternoon, school officials maintained communication with families through automated messages and social media updates, assuring them that students were being kept safe and calm inside classrooms.
The LAPD later confirmed that the situation had been fully resolved and the campus was declared secure, though the investigation into the initial report remains ongoing.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance, communication, and preparedness in ensuring the safety of students and educators. Even though no shots were fired, the emotional toll of such events underscores the growing challenges schools face in maintaining a sense of normalcy amid fears of potential violence.
As the community takes a collective sigh of relief, local leaders and school officials have reiterated their commitment to student safety — continuing to strengthen preventive measures, enhance security protocols, and provide emotional support for those shaken by the day’s events.
Thankfully, all students and staff are safe. But for many in South Los Angeles, Thursday’s false alarm will serve as another painful reminder of just how fragile that sense of safety can be.
