LATHROP — Lathrop High was ordered shut down Friday morning during third period after an anonymous caller declared there was a gun on campus. Three male students were taken into custody, however no gun was found.

Manteca Unified Director of Secondary Education Clara Schmiedt said seven Sheriff’s cars responded within minutes. She credited Lt. Chris Pehl of the Lathrop Police Services with leading a thorough hour-long search of classrooms and lockers taking the threat very seriously.

“The campus was quite still – they did a good job,” Schmiedt said of the deputies. “I can’t say enough about how they took care of Lathrop High – they made us feel quite safe.”

She noted that the school has its regular campus “lock down drills” and the teachers responded immediately to the order to shut the campus up tight.

Schmiedt said the threat came in at about 10 a.m. when students were just coming off their 14-minute brunch that is held in the cafeteria and throughout the campus.

The Lathrop High campus was declared safe at about 11:15, she said.

Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Les Garcia said the boys were questioned at the police department and later released to their parents.