Parents Question D.C. Schools Lockdown Mode

WASHINGTON -- Kids are back in school on Tuesday, but some started the holiday weekend in lockdown mode.

As word of a possible gunman at the Capitol spread through the city last Friday, authorities sprang into action. But now, one agency is coming under fire for over-reacting.

D.C. Public Schools were put into citywide lockdown after learning about the possibility of gunshots at the Rayburn Office Building.

Parents want to know why every school was locked down and not just those in the immediate area.

A school spokesman says they wanted to err on the side of caution.

District schools are supposed to receive notification of threats like the possible shooting from D.C. Police.

However, on Friday, school headquarters learned about the reported gunshots when WTOP called for comment about an hour after the incident began.

Assistant D.C. Police Chief Gerald Wilson tells WTOP Capitol Police informed him shortly after the first report came in that there was no threat to the community.

(Copyright 2006 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)