WFAA
Author: Jay Wallis (WFAA), Rebecca Lopez, Tiffany Liou
Published: 2:49 PM CST January 16, 2024
Updated: 6:50 PM CST January 16, 2024

DALLAS — Three screeners contracted by the Dallas County Courthouse have been terminated after a woman got through screening with a gun on her, according to Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price.

The courthouse went into lockdown for a period of time Wednesday morning after someone was suspected of having a gun inside the building, officials say. Price said he received a call around this time related to a "breach of security."

Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot said he was initially told not to come inside the building as this was happening. Courthouse employees also told WFAA they were told to shelter in place.

A woman had reportedly gotten into the building with the screeners missing the fact that she had a gun on her, Price says. 

Marshals began tracking her through the cameras once they realized what had happened. It reportedly took about 15 minutes for them to figure out who the woman was and where she went, Price said. They tracked her to the third floor before she eventually exited the building, according to Price. 

While the marshals are the ones in charge of all screenings, the courthouse has a contract company, Centerra, that provides the screeners, according to Price. Three of these employees have been terminated, Price said.

WFAA has reached out to Centerra for comment. We'll update this post as additional information becomes available.  

The courthouse is in the process of trying to train employees directly from the marshal's office to take care of the screening process, according to Price. 

The woman who brought in the weapon has reportedly been identified, and Price said a warrant has been issued for carrying a gun in a prohibited place.