Rochester Police to Conduct Active Shooter Drill at Lourdes High School
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- There will be a large law enforcement and emergency responder presence at one of Rochester’s high schools Friday.
Rochester Police officers, EMS and other emergency personnel will be conducting an active shooter drill and other training exercise at Rochester-Lourdes. The school is asking community members to stay away from the campus during the training.
A letter sent to families by Lourdes Principal Mary Spring and Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) President Annemarie Vega says hosting the drill allows the school system to “foster stronger relationships with law enforcement and first responders who play a vital role in maintaining the security of our schools and community.”
The letter says the training is essential and has the goal of equipping the RCS community with the, “knowledge and preparedness needed in the event of an emergency situation.”
Families with any questions or concerns about the upcoming active shooter drill and training, are asked to email mspring@rcsmn.org. The Rochester Police Department says the drill will run from noon until 4 p.m. and will also include members of the Rochester Fire Department, Minnesota BCA and FBI.
The training comes less than a year after Lourdes High School was one of more than a dozen schools that was targeted by a swatting call that falsely reported an active shooter. The false call triggered a large law enforcement response at the campus last September.
The school system lauded the response by law enforcement. Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson gave the school credit for its handling of what was initially thought to be an active shooter situation.
Story updated to include more information on the training from the Rochester Police Department