RIO RANCHO, N.M. — All Rio Rancho public schools were placed on a brief lockout due to a potential threat received by the RRPS Safety and Security Department Monday morning.

School officials said no one was allowed to enter or exit any of the campuses.

“RRPS Safety and Security as well as the Rio Rancho Police Department are continuing to investigate the threat and have advised we take this measure out of an abundance of caution,” school officials said in a message to families.

As of 10:15 a.m., authorities told KOB 4 the lockout was lifted. They say it appears the threat was a hoax.