Royse City Police Department Respond to Panic Alarm and Lockdown at Ouida Baley Middle School

ROYSE CITY, TX (April 27, 2026) – On April 27, 2026 at 12:20 PM, the Royse City Police Department responded to a panic alarm at Ouida Baley Middle School. The Royse City Police Department School Resource Officer assigned to the campus notified police units over the radio of the panic alarm and that the school had initiated lockdown procedures. Several students who were inside the cafeteria at the time of the panic alarm exited the school and ran to the Royse City Police Department building which is located next to the campus. Some of the students reported to police personnel they had heard gunshots inside the school as they were leaving. Officers arrived at the school and immediately entered the school and did not hear or see any indications of an active shooter event. Officers began an immediate search of the building and confirmed there was no threat.

The area of activation of the alarm showed the panic alarm came from the front office of the school. Officers went to the office area and it was discovered that a student who had been sitting behind the counter of the office area had pushed a panic button which activated a lockdown alarm.

After ensuring there was no active threat to the school, police officers and school staff began the process of lifting the lockdown.

During the investigation, there was no evidence found of any gunfire at the school. After searching the school, several chairs, trays and trashcans were found to be turned over in the cafeteria and this may have been what the students heard as they were exiting the building.

The Royse City Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the activation of the alarm to determine if it was accidental or intentional. There is no further information at this time.

Submitted press release: Royse City Police Department. 

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