Aberdeen High School was briefly locked down Thursday after someone posing as a student called in a threat to the school district.

Aberdeen police responded in force, and the threat was determined shortly after to be non-credible, said Cmdr. Steve Timmons of the Aberdeen Police Department.

The call came in at 10:06 a.m. on Thursday, Timmons said, when someone identifying themselves as a student said they were outside the high school with a rifle. All available officers including detectives and administrators convened on the school, arriving two minutes after the call, said Chief Dale Green.

Officers established containment and began searching the area, Timmons said. It was determined that threats had been called in to schools across Washington from the same phone number on Thursday morning, Timmons said.

“We still treat it as if it’s legit until it’s proven otherwise,” Timmons said.

The lockdown was lifted, but police will maintain an increased presence around the school for the time being, Timmons said. District Superintendent Jeffrey Thake thanked the department for its rapid response and safety precautions in an email to families.

Federal law enforcement agencies are investigating the case, Timmons said.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.