Durham Police Respond to Reported Incident as Riverside High School Enters Lockdown
Police Respond to reports of an emergency situation at Riverside High School in Durham on Wednesday, leading to a campus lockdown and restricted access while authorities investigated.
On Wednesday, police were seen rushing to the campus of Riverside High School, located on Rose of Sharon Road, after officials described an emergency incident. Authorities issued an alert urging the public to avoid the area as they worked to assess the situation and secure the campus.
What’s Known So Far
Law enforcement vehicles and officers arrived on school grounds shortly after reports of a possible security concern. As a precaution, access to the campus was restricted, and students, staff, and community members were instructed to stay away from the area while the scene was secured.
At the time of this report, school and law-enforcement officials had not released detailed information about what triggered the response, including whether it involved a weapon, a threat, or another safety issue. No injuries, arrests, or property damage had been publicly confirmed.
About Riverside High School
Riverside High School serves grades 9–12 and operates under Durham Public Schools. The campus is located at 3218 Rose of Sharon Road, Durham, NC 27712. The school is one of the larger public high schools in the district and is known for a diverse student population and a wide range of academic, extracurricular, and athletic offerings.
A History of Previous Threat-Related Closures
This is not the first time the school has experienced a lockdown connected to safety concerns. In November 2025, Riverside High was placed on lockdown following a tip about a possible weapon on campus. After a search, no weapon was found and the lockdown was lifted.
Earlier in 2025, the school experienced multiple lockdowns across several days after alleged threats. In those instances, reports stated that investigations did not ultimately produce evidence of a weapon on school grounds. This history has added to concerns among families, students, and staff about safety and the procedures used to protect the school community.
What Officials and Families Are Saying
As of this writing, administrators and district officials had not issued a detailed public statement explaining the nature of Wednesday’s incident. The lack of confirmed information—such as whether the threat was credible, anonymous, or misreported—has left many questions unanswered.
Parents and community members have been monitoring developments closely, especially given the school’s recent history of threat-related lockdowns, and many are hoping for clear information and reassurance that student safety remains the top priority.
What Happens Next
At the moment, the campus remains restricted while law enforcement continues its investigation. The public is awaiting an official update that clarifies what prompted the response, whether there is any ongoing risk, and which safety protocols are in place.
Families have been encouraged to monitor school communications and avoid the area until authorities confirm that it is safe.
