DURHAM, North Carolina — Charles E. Jordan High School in Durham was placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, May 26, 2026, after authorities received reports of a possible weapon on campus, prompting a significant law enforcement response involving the Durham County Sheriff’s Office and Durham Public Schools officials.
According to the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the school after receiving information concerning a possible weapon at the campus located on Garrett Road in southwest Durham. WRAL’s Sky 5 helicopter was seen flying over the school as authorities conducted the investigation.
School officials confirmed the campus was immediately placed on lockdown while deputies searched the property and worked to determine whether any active threat existed. Students and staff were instructed to remain inside classrooms during the response as law enforcement secured the area.
The incident follows multiple previous lockdowns and secure-status events at Jordan High School connected to reports of possible weapons, threats, or nearby police activity. Earlier incidents in 2026 and previous years similarly resulted in large law enforcement responses before no weapons were ultimately located.
Jordan High School, officially known as Charles E. Jordan High School, serves more than 2,000 students as part of Durham Public Schools and is located near Hope Valley Road in southwest Durham.
As of Tuesday evening, authorities had not publicly confirmed whether any weapon was ultimately found on campus. The investigation remained ongoing while school officials coordinated communication with parents and guardians regarding student safety and dismissal procedures.
