LOVELAND — Van Buren Elementary School was put on secure perimeter status briefly Wednesday morning as Loveland police responded to reports of gunshots in the area. Officers weren’t able to confirm that shots were fired, and they said no one was injured.

The Thompson School District texted parents of children at the school at 1811 W. 15th St. about 10 a.m. that the school was on secure perimeter, and all students and staff members were safe. About half an hour later, the district lifted the status.

On secured perimeter status, schools lock their exterior doors and bring in any students who are outside, but classes remain in session inside the schools.

“When you have a perceived threat, a possibility of a threat outside the building. … we secure the campus perimeter for safety,” district spokesman Michael Hausmann said.

Loveland police officers carrying drawn rifles and handguns canvassed the area around the Locust Park Apartments and Locust Park Professional Building on West 15th Street, talking to people who were outside.

“Everyone seems to be OK,” said Officer Dave Sloat, shortly before police started to leave the area about 10:30 a.m. “We try to investigate the best we can with the best we’ve got. … We can’t confirm they were gunshots or not. We just want to make sure everyone is safe.”

Locust Park Apartment resident Jeff Myler stood on his basement-level porch as officers canvassed the area.

“I heard four or five pops,” he said. “I thought it was maybe pieces of plywood dropping — but I’ve never heard gunshots.”

However, another Locust Park Apartment resident, John Burmingham, said he had his sliding glass porch door open since 4 a.m. and did not hear anything.

Officer Robert Croner said police received calls from two people who said they’d heard what sounded like several shots being fired. Sgt. Mike Halloran confirmed the two reports came into the dispatch center at 9:34 a.m.and 9:36 a.m. Wednesday morning, one reporting an address of 2004 W. 15th St.

The two reports indicated the noises came from either an unspecified area off of Eisenhower Boulevard or the area near Locust Park Apartments, which is just north of Eisenhower Boulevard.

“Two callers, back to back, is usually something — normally,” Croner said.

Dana Rieck: 970-635-3630, rieckd@reporter-herald.com or twitter.com/DanaRieckRH