Lincoln Police converged on McPhee Elementary School Wednesday afternoon after a man armed with a knife broke into the school. The school is located at 820 Goodhue Boulevard, a block south of the Nebraska State Capitol.
LPD Public Information Officer Erika Thomas around 1:30 school officials called LPD to report the break-in. “He first broke an exterior window with the knife and then an interior window using a bicycle.”
Thomas says officers responded immediately and the 26-year-old man was taken into custody within two minutes. The man is facing a variety of charges, including terroristic threats,
use of a weapon to commit a felony and misdemeanor criminal mischief.
The school activated the Standard Response Protocol of Lockdown, which kept all students inside classrooms, lights off and out of sight. Principal Theresa Haack sent a message to parents after the incident.
“Your student is safe at school. We have staff working to reassure students that they are safe and there are caring adults here to keep them safe. “Our safety protocols worked to ensure that the individual was stopped and our students and staff remained safe. We appreciate the quick response by Lincoln Police and their assistance.”
