School threatened
Students, staff evacuated in Dilkon after caller claims he intends to shoot children

Students and staff at Dilkon School are evacuted Monday morning after an unknown male called the school and threatened to start shooting students. Police are attempting to trace the call. [Courtesy Photo]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Dilkon Community School was evacuated Monday morning after a dormitory aide received a call from a male threatening he was going to be at the school and start shooting at students.

Officials said a female dormitory aide received the call around 7:30 a.m. from a male caller, whose age could not be determined by the dorm aide.

"He said, 'You better watch out. I'm going to shoot some students,' " said Lt. Emerson Lee, Dilkon Police District.

The school, which consists of students between the grades of pre-kindergarten and eighth grade, began evacuation immediately. At 9:07 a.m., five buses were dispatched and 181 day students, and 36 residential dorm students were removed from school grounds. Sixty-one school staff and personnel were also removed.

Navajo Nation police, Dilkon Criminal Investigation unit, three K-9 officers, and three tribal rangers were dispatched to the scene. Officials said 23 buildings, including modular buildings, were cleared by K-9's. Because students were familiar with the practiced emergency exit plan, officials said, the removal went smoothly.

The department will be attempting to get trace records of the call that could possibly lead to the location of the caller.

"We're taking this federal now," said Lee.