UPDATE: Man with pellet gun prompts Madras schools lockout; sheriff says he ‘had no intention’ of causing harm
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Citizen reports of a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle in Madras on Friday morning prompted a major police call-out and placing four area schools in "secure" lockout status for about three hours, until the situation was peacefully resolved.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jason Pollock said the schools were placed in a secure status (also known as a lockout) Friday morning after law enforcement received reports of a man walking near schools while possibly carrying a firearm. It turned out to be an Airsoft pellet rifle
Early Friday afternoon Pollock issued this update:
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Media Update
November 6, 2026, 12:15pm
Update: Law Enforcement Activity Near Schools
"At 7:31 am, Frontier Dispatch received a call about an individual with a gun walking towards Buff Elementary. Since this occurred during morning drop-off, the schools were instructed to enter into a secure lockdown mode following the standard “I Love U Guys” safety protocol practice.
"This was a multi-agency response, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police and Oregon State Police had all responded to the schools for lockdown.
"With descriptions provided, we were able to locate the individual and discovered it was pellet gun and the individual had no intention of going into the schools or causing any harm.
"Lockdowns have been lifted. The schools are no longer in lockdown mode and have returned to their normal daily schedules.
"Thank you for remaining calm and avoiding the area. The safety of our students, school staff, and community remains our highest priority. We want to thank our staff, the educators, and our local agencies for their quick and orderly response during this incident," Pollock concluded.
Madras High and Bridges high schools and Buff and Madras elementary schools were placed in Secure status just before 8 a.m., and it was lifted about 10:45 a.m., according to Jay Mathisen, superintendent of Jefferson County School District 509J.
Mathisen told KTVZ News that law enforcement contacted the person of interest and confirmed the person was carrying an Airsoft pellet rifle.
"There was no threat" to the schools, he said, as the man was spotted several blocks away. But as a precaution, exterior doors were locked. Nobody enters or leaves the school buildings in Secure status, except for a "controlled release" under supervision to concerned parents who come to pick up their children," the superintendent said.
"We had a great response from law enforcement," Mathisen said, adding that they "were here in a heartbeat, made some great decisions. Our staff did a really good job."`
Friday athletic and extra-curricular events won't be affected, Mathisen said, as the situation was resolved before midday. "Fortunately, we didn't have to cross that bridge."
Schools continued their usual classes, but also heard from numerous parents seeking information or to pick up their children - "kind of what you'd anticipate," the superintendent said, especially coming just three weeks after Bend's Silver Rail Elementary School shooting.
"We certainly understand and completely respect their choices to be with their kiddos," Mathisen added.
Earlier info:
In the initial announcement, Pollock officials emphasized that no shooting occurred and no shots were fired. Law enforcement officers contacted someone matching the reported description and searched the area for a possible firearm while continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the initial reports.
The sheriff noted the widespread concern that situations involving local schools cause for parents and community members.
“We understand that situations involving our schools create significant concern for parents and our community,” Pollock said in a statement. “We ask everyone to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information on social media and allow law enforcement and school officials to do their jobs.”
He said the safety of students, school staff and the community remains their highest priority. The Sheriff's Office said additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
