A stranger believed to be under the influence snuck inside Irving Middle School twice as students arrived for breakfast Monday before he exited the building and crashed his vehicle near the school, prompting Lincoln Public Schools to review its security protocols.
At about 7:40 a.m., Irving staff spotted a 20-year-old man "not connected to Irving" who entered the school through the cafeteria. Staff said the man "displayed lethargic behavior" leading them to believe he was "under the influence of an unknown substance," Lincoln Police said.
Irving administrators escorted him from the building, but the man again entered through another door and went to the second floor before leaving, according to a letter Irving Principal Rachael Kluck-Spann sent families.
The man then entered his vehicle, struck a parked car in the school parking lot and crossed Van Dorn Street before crashing into a nearby fence.
New lesbian-owned lounge opening in Lincoln hopes to foster 'authentic' atmosphere
Nebraska principal placed on administrative leave
WWE star Hulk Hogan promoting beer’s introduction to Nebraska
No. 2 Nebraska volleyball wins 13th straight match; No. 1 Pittsburgh falls to SMU
Papillion dog, who loved pears and a select few, euthanized after tough life
Winter outlook not favorable to drought relief in Nebraska
Grand Island, the largest high school in Nebraska, cancels girls varsity basketball season
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, visits Lincoln to promote new beer
Cover Five: Is the running back carousel sustainable? And, Nebraska not closing book on Merritt
Lincoln couple dies in Grand Canyon accident
Rare, 'very, very bright' comet expected to make an appearance for Midlanders
Amie Just: How Nebraska volleyball beat Purdue on a night the Boilers had it rolling
Lincoln Journal Star 2024 Election Voter's Guide: Local candidates on the issues
After tumultuous upbringing in Nebraska, new state IT head hired to 'be a change agent'
Large wildfire in northern Lancaster County prompts evacuations
The man was approached by the school's resource officer and later taken to an area hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. He was eventually cited with a number of misdemeanors, including trespassing, DUI and negligent driving. No one else was injured.
The intruder prompted Irving to enter "secure" status after he left the building, meaning all students are brought inside and all entrances locked, but business goes on as usual. Available staff also monitored doors and the school grounds.
In a follow-up message to families, school district Security Director Joe Wright said LPS is working with Irving staff and Lincoln Police to review security protocols.
"This is unacceptable on any of our school campuses and we are working to provide additional training for school staff to ensure this does not happen again," Wright said. "School safety is one our top priorities and we take this incident very seriously."
It's unclear how the man managed to enter the school undetected twice. Staff is tasked with supervising the four entrances where students enter in the morning. Irving will increase morning supervision at those doors, Wright said.
Supervision of students begins at 7:30 a.m. for students arriving for breakfast. All other students are asked to arrive after 7:45 for classes starting at 8.
Protocols for students entering in the morning differ from building to building because each school is uniquely laid out, said LPS Director of Communications Mindy Burbach.
The main entrance at Irving includes a secured vestibule where visitors enter during the day.
Here are tips to prevent your home from being broken into. Remember, if you observe a suspicious person or behavior, call 911.
Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican (left) swears in the new senators for 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Sen. John Fredrickson shows his son, Leon, the inside of the west wing on the first day of the 2023 Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Tuesday at the Capitol. The new session begins Wednesday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Senator Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
A camera flash illuminates the newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the rotunda to the West Chamber to be sworn in on Thursday at Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Milford's Izzy Yeackley (left) grabs a rebound in front of Malcolm's Emma Brown on Thursday in Malcolm.Â
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Tell Hanes (left) of the Waverly Fire Department and Southeast Rural Fire's Trey Wayne jump over freezing water to high-five while practicing surface ice rescues Friday at Holmes Lake. "We try to run these trainings for both our students and local first responders to make sure they are ready in case anything real happens," said Andrew Saunders, of the International Rescue and Relief program at Union College.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Kaitlyn Freudenberg (from left) tries to hold onto the ball against Lincoln Southwest's Brinly Christensen and Aniya Seymore on Friday at Lincoln Southwest.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska's Kendall Moriarty does push-ups as her teammates cheer after the Huskers beat Penn State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's Brock Hardy (right) wrestles Minnesota's Jakob Bergeland in the 141-pound match, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Devaney Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Ali Al-Mohammed, 17, kicks a soccer ball after school on Tuesday in front of Park Middle School. Renovations at Park that were part of the 2020 bond issue included a new cafeteria space.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Parkview Christian's Isabella Minatti (middle, right) is fouled against Johnson-Brock during a MUDECAS Tournament semifinal game Thursday at Beatrice Auditorium.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Emmanuel Bandoumel makes a dunk against Illinois' Matthew Mayer on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska's Derrick Walker is introduced before the Illinois game, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A truck passes over an icy Platte River along U.S. 6 on Friday near Ashland. Friday's temperature failed to get above freezing, but the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is much better, with temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s before precipitation chances Sunday night and Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A pair of ice skaters journey across a frozen Holmes Lake at sunset on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lincoln. As winter continues, weather this week will be consistently in the 40s with a dry weekend.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Ohio State's Rebeka Mikulášiková collides with Nebraska's Maddie Krull as they battle for the ball underneath the rim in the third quarter Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Â
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Kyrie Kelley-Johnson, son of Lincoln High head coach Dominique Kelley-Johnson, tries to keep the attention of the players while the Links stretch before their game Saturday at Lincoln High.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Governor Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska's open senate seat, during an announcement on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, has been expected to go to Ricketts after his depurate from the governorship last year.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Oscar and Yenifer Contreras, (left to right) both family workers, enjoy some of the food they made before lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Restaurante & Bar Sabor Latino in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Parker Moll braves a mix of snow and rain to clear the driveway outside his family's home on Wednesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Ohio State's Zed Key (left) lays the ball into the basket off of the backboard against Nebraska's Derrick Walker on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Sam Griesel (right) embraces teammate Keisei Tominaga after defeating Ohio State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska's Isabelle Bourne (left) is blocked at the rim by Maryland's Gia Cooke on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln Pius X's Jackson Kessler (middle, bottom) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday at Pius X High School.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Allie Gard completes a back hand spring during her routine on the balance beam during their duel against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Pius X's Nate Schauer (left) and Treyson Anderson celebrate after defeating Omaha Skutt on Tuesday at Pius X High School.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Denim Dawson bites a towel after the Huskers lost to Northwestern on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Leona Nissen (left) and Mackenzie Derowitsch chat during some one-on-one mentorship time at Lincoln Lutheran on Thursday. The 6-12 school has implemented a new mentor program called Warrior Walk that pairs a middle school student with a high school counterpart.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
April and Stormi Mrsny hurtle down the hill on their sled while followed by their dog, Penni, on Monday at Pioneers Park. Chilly temperatures are in the forecast this week ahead of an Arctic air mass that could arrive by the weekend.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State address on Wednesday at the Capitol in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln High School senior Kristie Trinh was recently selected for the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
John Lee (left), an opponent of LB77, open carries his great-great grandfather's musket outside a Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday at the Capitol. "This is the only arms that they knew of when they were writing the Constitution," Lee said. LB77 would remove a requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @HammackLJS
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.