Lake Gibson High School was temporarily placed on lockdown Thursday morning as deputies investigated reports of possible gunfire in the area. 

  • No evidence found of gunfire near Lake Gibson High
  • Deputies searched campus, area after reports of gunfire
  • Witnesses said a car backfired, causing a panic

The incident occurred around 7 a.m. as students were arriving to school. The sheriff's office received a report of loud noises that the caller described as gunfire near the school. 

"It is very possible this is a noise that sounded like gunfire but wasn’t. We are treating it as gunfire and ensuring everyone is safe," Carrie Horstman with the sheriff's office said. 

Officials said deputies arrived on scene and immediately began checking classrooms and the surrounding area. 

Deputies were not able to find evidence of a shooter and no injuries were reported. 

Several witnesses confirmed that a vehicle at the school backfired and caused a panic, officials said. 

"We are grateful that this incident was not what it initially seemed to be.
But what we did see this morning, was a spectacular response, and great cooperation between law enforcement, the school faculty and students, and the Polk County School Board," Sheriff Grady Judd said. 

Officials said students on campus are safe and deputies will remain on scene as the school returns to normal.