Sterling schools closed Tuesday due to traffic stop and unrelated report of possible threat – Shaw Local

STERLING – Sterling Public Schools were placed on a limited access lockdown Tuesday morning when two unrelated incidents led the city Police Department to ask school officials to adopt their crisis plan.

According to a press release issued by Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira, Sterling Public Schools contacted the Sterling Police Department’s school resource officer Tuesday morning regarding information about potential threats the district had received. SPS learned of information about the potential threat from a concerned parent. The parent would have learned of the potential threat from their child, an SPS student, according to the press release.

“As a result of this information, and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of SPS students and staff, Sterling officers and detectives responded to the area of ​​Sterling High School,” Chavira said.

Simultaneously, the Sterling Police Department’s school resource officer began an investigation into reports of the threat.

At the same time, a Sterling officer conducted an unrelated investigative stop near Sterling High School for a traffic violation. A 15-year-old female was identified as the driver of the vehicle and Jesse L. Hall, 40, of Sterling, was identified as the lone passenger, according to Chavira. Upon further investigation, it was found that Hall was in possession of a loaded firearm, Chavira said. Due to potential safety concerns arising from the traffic stop and the proximity of the traffic stop to Sterling High School, police requested the SPS administration adopt the crisis plan.

SPS was placed on a districtwide limited-access lockdown until it was determined the two incidents were unrelated, Chavira said.

Hall was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful use of weapons and possession of a firearm without the required firearm owner’s identification card. Hall was transported to the Whiteside County Jail, Chavira said.

The 15-year-old driver was charged with not having a valid driver’s license and was released into the custody of her parents, according to the release.

Sterling police charged a second 15-year-old woman with disorderly conduct based on the initial threat investigation by the school resource officer, Chavira said. The minor was entrusted to the custody of her parents.

“The Sterling Police Department would like to thank the SPS administration for its cooperation in this matter and we would like to remind the community that timely and detailed reporting of suspicious activity can help prevent violent crimes,” Chavira said.