Ferris locked down after fights; three staffers injured

Three Ferris High School staff members were injured and three students arrested following a fight Thursday afternoon.

No weapons were involved, according to Spokane Public Schools spokesman Ryan Lancaster, who said Ferris was placed on lockdown at about 12:55 p.m. as a precautionary measure.

During the lockdown, staff intervened in the altercation while Spokane police and campus safety personnel conducted interviews with students, Lancaster said.

Two students were arrested for assault and a third for malicious mischief, said Brian Coddington, another district spokesman.

After law enforcement conducted interviews with students, the lockdown level was lowered at 1:40 p.m. to “modified” status, Lancaster said.

Under a modified lockdown, the building is secured against a possible outside threat such as an unauthorized person loitering on school grounds or when there is criminal activity in the neighborhood.

Exterior doors are locked, but normal activities continue inside the building.

Later Thursday, the district described the event in a voice message to Ferris families.