Today at approximately 12:47pm, the Goshen County Communications Center received a report of multiple gunshots being fired on the west side of Torrington High School, near the Torrington Livestock Market.
Officers from the Torrington Police Department and Goshen County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area to verify the safety of students at the school. Almost simultaneous with the report of the gunshots, the fire alarm at Torrington High School was activated and signaled for students to evacuate the school.
School Resource Officers immediately contacted the Torrington High School Administration to inform them of the reported gunshots on the west side of the school. THS Administrators and TPD Officers worked together to direct students to safety, away from the area of reported danger, while other officers began investigating the source of the reported gunshots. The Goshen County School District Administrative Offices, Torrington Middle School, and Platte River School were also notified of the potential danger and were placed in a secure status.
The investigation revealed that the reported gunshots were the result of an animal being euthanized at the sale barn on the west side of the school. After confirming this report, and checking the area for any additional danger, the Middle School, Platte River School, and Administrative Office were released from their secure status. The students at Torrington High School remained outside until the Fire Alarm was investigated and it was determined safe for them to return to the building. Unfortunately, the Fire Alarm initiated a second time, just as students returned to the building. The source of the Fire Alarm activation is believed to be a system malfunction, and not related to any pull station activation.
This combination of events was concerning for everyone involved and prompted a significant response from all of our First Responders. The Torrington Police Department is grateful for successful partnerships that allow them to work together quickly to keep our most treasured community assets safe when danger appears.
A special thanks go out for the patience of students, parents, and School District staff who experienced some frightening moments while TPD made sure everyone was safe.
