UPDATE (1:58 p.m.) - According to a message from Lompoc Unified School District, the lockdown was issued after a 911 call was made from someone on the Vandenberg Middle School campus. District officials say the investigation into the call is ongoing, but say all students and staff at the school are safe.
—
UPDATE (1:13 p.m.): A lockdown at Vandenberg Middle School and nearby Manzanita Charter School that began Tuesday morning has been lifted.
Vandenberg Space Force Base’s 30th Security Forces Squadron reports the lockdown was issued at around 10 a.m. after reports of shots fired near the schools, which are located across from the base’s main gate off Highway 1.
Base officials say a sweep of the area was done and the area deemed safe. No injuries were reported. The shelter-in-place was lifted and all-clear given by about 1 p.m.
Base officials say the incident was not related to an emergency response exercise planned for Tuesday and Wednesday. While the exercise did include an active shooter scenario, base officials say this took place on a different area of the base. The exercise will continue as planned.
"The safety of our community remains our highest priority," said Col. Mark Shoemaker, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, in a press release. "These moments highlight the importance of our rigorous training and our strong connection with local law enforcement. It ensures that when we are called to action, we can respond swiftly and effectively."
“30th SFS personnel will continue to patrol the area to ensure the ongoing safety of students and faculty,” a base press release stated. “They will remain on scene to support school staff with traffic flow for student pick up.”
Parents were encouraged to stay away from the campuses while the investigation was ongoing as no one was being let in or out of the area until the all clear was given.
—
UPDATE (12:07 p.m.) - Vandenberg Space Force Base officials say all students at Vandenberg Middle School and Manzanita Charter School are safe and accounted for. They urged people to avoid the two schools until further notice.
—
UPDATE (11:19 a.m.) - Sheriff's officials say a family assistance center has been established at Timber Ln. and Katsura St. for parents/guardians of Vandenberg Middle School students.
___
UPDATE (10:57 a.m.) - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's officials say deputies have concluded their check of the campus and found no threat or injuries. They are reportedly looking into whether the incident was related to a training exercise at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
___
(10:47 a.m.) - Vandenberg Middle School was placed on lockdown Tuesday morning.
The Lompoc Unified School District reports authorities with Vandenberg Space Force Base and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office were on campus.
People were asked not to call the school and to stay away from the campus.
Vandenberg could not immediately comment on the situation or tell KSBY whether the incident was related to a planned active shooter response training this week.
The sheriff’s office also could not comment as they were only assisting.
The school is located off Mountain View Boulevard across from the base’s main gate.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
