UPDATE: ICE responds after Harrison School District 2 alleges immigration officials approached Turman Elementary students walking to school

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Harrison School District 2 says men who announced themselves as immigration officials were parked in unmarked vehicles near Turman Elementary School during morning drop-off on Friday, September 25.

District 2 says several students alerted staff upon arrival to report that they were aggressively approached by masked men with weapons on their walk to school, who claimed to be looking for someone in the neighborhood. 

“They were posturing across the street from our school with guns, standing on top of trucks talking about ICE,” said Harrison School District 2 Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel.

KRDO13 reached out to ICE for comment on whether they were involved in the situation. An ICE spokesperson provided KRDO13 with the following statement:

"ICE Denver was conducting a targeted enforcement action near the neighborhood west of Turman Elementary School in Colorado Springs the morning of Sept. 25.

After initiating a vehicle stop the individual fled from ICE officers after he exited his vehicle north of the elementary school on foot. Officers conducted a brief search of the neighborhood and spoke to some residents in an effort to locate him.

The officers were unable to locate the criminal alien and he remains at large. ICE does not believe there is any risk to the public.

At no time did our officers enter school property nor conduct an enforcement action at the school.

Contrary to the school district’s characterization that our officers acted in a “aggressive manner,” our officers were approached by students, and the students informed our officers about where they had seen the criminal alien run.

Those blaming ICE for low attendance at schools are creating a climate of fear and smearing law enforcement. These smears are contributing to our ICE law enforcement officers facing more than 1,600% increase in assaults against them. ICE is not conducting enforcement operations at, or ‘raiding,’ schools. ICE is not going to schools to make arrests of children. If a dangerous illegal felon were to flee into a school, or a child sex offender is working as an employee, there may be a situation where an arrest is made to protect public safety. But this has not happened."

Dr. Birhanzel told KRDO13 that most of the students at Turman Elementary walk to school or are dropped off by parents because there is no bus transportation for the campus. She said the students who were approached by these officials expressed feeling "uncomfortable and unsafe."

“That doesn't feel good for families, and it doesn't feel like our school can be a safe place, and that's not fair for us or our community or our students who are getting that education,” Dr. Birhanzel said.

Turman Elementary went on secure status for less than 20 minutes until District 2 security could arrive and make sure everyone was safe. Following the incident, District 2 told KRDO13 that Turman Elementary reported low attendance.

"[Parents] saw the man on top of the truck with his gun yelling about ICE. They turned around and took their kid home, as would I if I had a five-year-old," Dr. Birhanzel said.

District 2 expressed frustration over the incident and said they have many concerns about how this played out.

Dr. Birhanzel said most law enforcement agencies, such as the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO), inform the school district if they're going to be active in area neighborhoods. 

“Today was very alarming and disheartening that they chose not to let us know, so we couldn't keep our kids safe," Dr. Birhanzel said.

KRDO13 received confirmation from CSPD, EPSO, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service that they were not involved with the incident after reviewing District 2's photo of the alleged immigration official.

KRDO13 obtained a copy of the email sent to parents and staff members at 8:36 a.m., following the incident:

Dear Turman Elementary Families and Staff,

We know some of you may have seen immigration officials in unmarked vehicles in the neighborhood this morning or briefly parked in front of the school. We understand that this may have been concerning, and that questions and rumors can spread quickly.

We want to reassure you that Turman Elementary is safe, and school is operating normally. As a precaution, we brought all students inside the school. Immigration officials did not approach the school or attempt to enter the building.

Our students are safe, our staff is here, and learning is continuing as usual.

We know situations like this can bring questions or concerns for families. Please reach out to us if you would like to talk. We are here to support our Turman community.

Turman Elementary is a safe place for every student.

Thank you for trusting us with your children.

Ms. Witt - Principal, Turman Elementary School

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.