Apache Junction High School is in lockdown due to a police situation.
A city spokesperson said the school received an unconfirmed threat to the high school that led to a lockdown.
Police investigated and found no threat. Students are safe. But, transportation will be delayed, according to the spokesperson.
Cactus Canyon Junior High School, the District office and The Early Learning Center are also on lockdown as a precaution.
Students were released from the school just before 3 p.m.
Cpt. Arnold Freeman with the Apache Junction Police Department said the call started as a "shots fired" report and that in the background of the phone call to emergency dispatch was a voice saying "help me" or something to that effect.
Freeman said after a massive emergency response, the department executed its active shooter procedure, which it practices every few months and was able to locate the initial caller.
Officers detained the boy, who Freeman said was 15 or 16 years old, and searched the rest of the campus and found no injuries or any indication shots were fired anywhere.
"It's an unfounded call is what it is," Freeman said.
No weapons or anything else to indicate shots were fired was found on the campus.
According to Freeman, the student responsible will be facing serious charges.
"Anytime you do something to cause a massive response like this, a massive emergency response, there are going to be serious consequences," Freeman said. "People sometimes refer to this as a prank call. This is not a prank."
Freeman said this afternoon that there are 20 other students being interviewed because it was a single caller, but there were 20 other students in the room at the time of the call.
While this was an unfounded call, school shootings happen in America nearly every week.
In a USA Today article, experts said school violence often brings school safety discussions forward and understanding how to communicate with your child about these issues can be crucial.
According to Mental Health America, the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and more, suggests ways to communicate with your child.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Encourage your child to talk about their concerns and feelings.
2. Validate your child's feelings and don't minimize their concerns.
3. Talk honestly in regards to the risks of violence.
4. Make sure you discuss safety procedures with your child while in school, public areas or in your neighborhood.
5. Empower your child and encourage them to take action and to report any incident such as, bullying, threats or talk of suicide.
Below are suggested hotlines in Arizona for students or those in need of help:
1. Maricopa County
-Teen Lifeline: (602)248-8337
-Arizona State University Hotline: (480) 921-1006
-Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care: (602) 222-9444
2. Phoenix Area
-Arizona Teen Crisis Solutions: (623) 879-9600
-Alternative Behavioral Services: (602) 222-9444
3. 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines-National: (800) 273-8255
4. Yavapai County
-Health Integrated Care: (877) 756-4090
5. Gila River and Ak-Chin Communities
-EMPACT: (800) 259-3449
6. Yuma County
-Cenpatico Integrated Care: (866) 495-6735