A lockdown order has been lifted at two schools in the Bridgewater, N.S. area.

Bridgewater Junior Senior High School and Bridgewater Elementary School were locked down Monday at the request of Bridgewater police.

“At approximately 11:30 today the Bridgewater Police Service received a call from family members about a family member who was distraught, armed with a weapon, in this case a firearm,” confirms Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer.

Collyer says a man at a nearby home allegedly made death threats against another person. One neighbour told police a shot was fired, although police haven’t confirmed that.

“We were worried because we thought it was something like what just happened in the States,” says concerned parent Melanie Stevens.

Bridgewater RCMP and town police gathered on York Street in front of the schools and blocked off the road for a few hours. It has since re-opened.

Police say the threat was in no way connected to either school, but they ordered the lockdown and subsequent evacuation based on the proximity and seriousness of the situation.

“The elementary school was evacuated to the high school, which is located right next door,” says Collyer. “Students then were evacuated by bus to NSCC.”

Collyer says the evacuation was both orderly and efficient, as students first participated in a drill and were then evacuated from the building.

“We just completed the elementary school and were about to start with high school students when the individual at the centre of the incident was taken into custody by police,” he says.

No one was injured in the incident, but some parents are expressing anger over how the situation was handled.

“I’m a little frustrated because I didn’t get a call until the kids were picked up,” says parent Rachelle Mintz.

“All I know is we got a call saying it was early dismissal,” says parent Rhonda Smith. “Pick them up after 2 p.m. at NSCC.”

A 40-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital for psychiatric assessment.

Police say charges are expected.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Paul Hollingsworth