A New Brunswick high school was locked down Friday morning after reports of a gunman in the area.
Police received a call that a man with a gun was spotted close to the entrance of Bonar Law Memorial High School in Rexton around 8:30 a.m.
School officials immediately locked down the school as a precaution and police arrested a 20-year-old man a short distance from the school.
Raymond Fagan lives across the street and said it all happened quickly.
“Well I noticed all the cops were there. It didn’t last long, they took off again and they came and they were going back and forth,” said Fagan.
Police say the suspect is not a student at the school and never entered the building. They have also determined the gun was an authentic-looking pellet gun.
The school district released the following statement to CTV News Friday afternoon:
“As per district and provincial protocol, the school was immediately locked down, and RCMP were called immediately on site…In this instance, the alleged danger was proven false and the matter is in the hands of the RCMP. There is no threat to student safety and classes have resumed…a message has also been issued to parents in the community.”
Investigators say the suspect lives in the Saint Paul – Kent area and is known to police.
Police are still investigating the incident and say at this point, mental health issues do not appear to be a factor. They say a motive is unknown at this point.
The suspect is due to appear in court by teleconference Saturday.
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell
