Santa Cruz Elementary School was briefly placed on lockdown today after a report of possible shots fired in the neighborhood.

At the advice of the Maricopa Police Department, school administrators initiated lockdown procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff, said Maricopa Unified School District spokesperson Mishell Terry.

The police later determined the sounds were fireworks, not gunfire.

“All students and staff followed safety procedures, and everyone remained safe inside the building,” Principal Stephanie Rhinehart said in a message to families. “We have now been given the all clear by law enforcement, and normal activities have resumed.”

Initial alerts sent to families indicated the school was on lockdown while officials gathered more information. The lockdown was lifted shortly after police completed their investigation.

This isn’t the first false alarm where pyrotechnics spooked neighbors. In July, Maricopa police took reports of gunshots that turned out to be fireworks. In October, police responded to three reports of gunshots. They were all bogus — just fireworks.

A post circulating on Nextdoor this morning referenced heavy police presence in neighborhoods near Santa Cruz Elementary where fireworks had been let off last night, sparking a lively debate and additional concern from residents. Police reassured the community that there was no threat to public safety.

According to Desert Cedars resident Monica Dominguez: “I’m Native American and Mexican. Normally, the weekend after Easter, we celebrate with fireworks and piñata … It’s OK…”

The Maricopa Police Department is urging residents to remain cautious but also to be mindful that fireworks can often be mistaken for gunfire, especially during late-night hours.

No injuries were reported during Monday’s incident, and school officials thanked families for their cooperation and understanding.