Four schools in the College Heights neighbourhood were locked down Firday after reports of an armed pedestrian were made to police.
The first alert was at about 8:45 a.m. when a schoolgirl spotted someone suspicious.
"Police received a report from Ecole College Heights elementary school of a person with a firearm in the bush behind the school," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass.
A large police contingent was dispatched to the area, including a police dog unit. The streets and roads were cordoned off and worried parents could do little but wait on the perimeter. College Heights secondary school nearby was also put on lockdown orders.
"They say the kids are all locked in the school, they are all safe, and we just have to stay back and let the police do their search," said one mom at the bottom of the Cowart Road hill where traffic was stopped.
About an hour later, police concluded their sweep of the area. Their actions included rushing in numbers to the back door of the secondary school when a tall figure wearing a black balaclava, red backpack and camouflage jacket was seen attempting to get into the building. It turned out to be a person with school business who wasn't expecting to be suddenly surrounded by Mounties.
"No evidence to support the initial report was located," said Douglass.
After the police search team broke up and went back to their regular duties, they were almost immediately called back together, this time in the area around Malaspina elementary.
Again, the school was put on lockdown while Mounties combed the area. A teacher involved in the incident described the lockdown as being a potentially frightening event for the kids inside. It is not business as usual but with doors locked. When a threat of that nature presents itself, said the teacher, it warrants turning off lights, removing students from outside sight lines, and blanketing the building in silence.
"I was shaking when I heard," said one parent who went to the school. "I'm picking my kids up [immediately]. Better safe than sorry."
Again, the search turned up no gunman, but the roving incident was not finished. Reportedly, police were called again after a report of a lone pedestrian with a firearm near another College Heights school, this time Southridge elementary.
No school officials or police members were available for comment Friday.
