News Release City of Kearney
UPDATE 5/4/21 4:30 p.m.
The person involved in attempting to gain access to Kearney High School on May 3, 2021 has been located and is in custody after an incident at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island. Kearney Public Schools has resumed normal operations at Kearney High School.
On May 3, 2021, an individual identified as 19-year-old Tyler Caudill of Phillips Nebraska, attempted to open the secure doors of Kearney High School and was contacted by school staff in accordance with Kearney Public Schools secure entry protocol. Caudill indicated he was there to visit a student, however; he had no legitimate reason to be on school property or listed as an authorized contact for the student and was escorted from the school grounds.
On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, Kearney Police received information from Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office that Caudill had taken a family vehicle and rifle from the home and his location was unknown. Due to the incident at Kearney High School the previous day, Kearney Police notified Kearney Public Schools and the school was placed in Lockout as law enforcement attempted to locate Caudill. Information related to Caudill was shared with local law enforcement in an attempt to determine Caudill’s whereabouts and wellbeing. Kearney Police worked closely with KPS staff during the day and our law enforcement partners from Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and Grand Island Police Department. Kearney Police has no charges related to this incident. Once again, we appreciate the cooperation and patience as we worked to resolve this incident.
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The public may notice an increased police presence at and around Kearney High School along with our School Resource Officers. At this time, KPD is attempting to locate a male subject who attempted to gain access to Kearney High School property with unknown intentions on Monday, May 3, 2021.
We have no evidence of a threat to the school, students, or staff, however; we take the safety and security of our schools seriously, thus out of an abundance of caution we support the decision to place the school in a “Lockout” status as we continue to investigate this report. Additional details will be released as available, we appreciate your patience.
The Kearney Police Department is working closely with KPS and our Law Enforcement partners on this incident.