Halloween scare sends Junee schools into lockdown as police swarm town

A JUNEE High School student’s Halloween costume sparked a massive police operation on Friday morning, sending schools and childcare centres into lockdown while the unsuspecting teenager sat in class, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around town.

A fleet of marked and unmarked police vehicles descended on Junee shortly after 8am on October 30, following reports of a person dressed in camouflage and carrying a firearm in Beach Street, Junee.

Officers initially converged on the Beach, Wardle, Hart and Clarence streets area, before the operation widened to surrounding streets and residential blocks.

The extraordinary scenes saw police vehicles swarming local streets, with plain-clothed detectives spotted putting on bulletproof vests in Beach Street, where multiple police cars had gathered.

Uniformed officers were also seen searching nearby Hart Street on foot, while residents reported an unusually heavy police presence across town.

Multiple Highway Patrol vehicles were spotted patrolling local streets and conducting vehicle stops as the operation continued, while local schools and childcare centres were placed into lockdown as a precaution.

Police on scene in Beach and Hart Streets in Junee on Friday morning | Images: Supplied

Police on scene in Wardle Street | Image: Supplied

But as police searched for the reportedly armed person, the individual at the centre of the unfolding drama was already sitting in a classroom at Junee High School.

The Junee Bulletin understands the male student had been walking to school dressed in combat-style camouflage clothing and carrying a toy gun as part of the school’s Halloween dress-up day.

Unbeknown to him, his appearance had prompted a report to police, setting off a major response across town.

In a statement, a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed the incident was a false alarm.

“About 8am today, officers attached to Riverina Police District responded to reports of a man carrying a firearm in Beach Street,” the spokesperson said.

“On arrival, officers were told a local school was hosting a Halloween event and a student was identified as carrying a plastic toy gun.”

The teenager had made it to school and was attending class, seemingly unaware of the commotion, when officers eventually arrived looking for him.

Police subsequently located and spoke with the teenager at the school, with a spokesperson confirming no further action was taken.

The extraordinary misunderstanding unfolded as Junee High School hosted a Halloween-themed fundraiser organised by its Year 12 students in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The school had encouraged students to dress in Halloween costumes or casual clothing in exchange for a gold coin donation, with a best-dressed competition and cake stall among the day’s activities.

After more than two hours of heightened police activity, the all-clear was given shortly after 10am and lockdowns at the affected schools and childcare centres were lifted.

In a statement issued on Friday afternoon, Junee High School sought to reassure the community that there had been no danger to students, staff or the wider public.

“We understand there was an incident reported this morning that caused some worry and confusion within our community,” the school said.

“We would like to reassure everyone that there was, and continues to be, no threat to our students, staff or the public.”

The school also apologised for the disruption caused by the incident, confirming the matter had been addressed and resolved.

“We sincerely apologise for any stress or inconvenience this incident may have caused. Please be assured that the matter has been appropriately addressed and resolved.”

While the incident caused considerable concern and disruption, the response from local schools and childcare centres was particularly commendable.

Staff acted swiftly to safeguard children, implementing emergency procedures and maintaining lockdown arrangements until the situation was resolved.

Their calm and coordinated handling of the incident deserves recognition, particularly in a small regional community where emergencies of this nature are rarely encountered.