Casper PD: School Lockouts Prompted by Fleeing Suspects

Two suspects running from police officers prompted two Casper schools to go into lockout protocol for a brief period of time Friday morning.

The lockouts at Kelly Walsh High School and Verda James Elementary School, during which school staff secured the building perimeters and did not permit anyone to enter or exit, lasted about 10 minutes, according to the Casper Police Department.

In a statement, the department said officers were initially called to the 440 Block of E. 2nd Street for a report of suspicious activity shortly after 10 a.m. Friday. The report identified a suspicious vehicle that was quickly confirmed as having been stolen.

The suspect vehicle also matched the description of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident Thursday night, and fled the scene Thursday when officers arrived.

That vehicle was again located Friday by a sheriff's deputy near Eastridge Mall. The driver and passenger of the stolen vehicle ran off and were pursued by police officers, who quickly found them and took the suspects into custody.

Police say there is no threat to the public in connection with the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released later.