A Nova Scotia man is facing a slew of charges after two schools were locked down in Bridgewater yesterday.

Some of the charges include weapons offences, after police discovered a number of firearms in a home near the schools.

Police seized eight guns from the home, including an assault rifle.

“The fact that he had unsecured firearms in his home does raise the level of concern for police officers for our community’s safety,” says Const. William Creamer of the Bridgewater Police.

Sheldon Bowers, 37, made a brief appearance in Bridgewater provincial court today.

“Mr. Bowers faces charges of uttering threats to cause death. He also faces charges of unsafe storage of firearms and also a charge of possession of a weapon, in this case a firearm for a dangerous purpose,” says Crown attorney Leigh-Ann Bryson.

“These are serious offences and will be attracting possible jail time if the allegations are true,” says federal prosecutor Josh Bryson.

Bowers is also accused of possessing and trafficking drugs.

The charges stem from an incident yesterday after police received a call that a distressed man in possession of a firearm was inside a home near two schools in the area.

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

“That was a precautionary measure that was decided by police and school administration for students’ safety,” says Creamer. “At no point in time was there any threats made towards students.”

High school student Melissa Brown admits there were some tense moments during the lockdown.

“I heard some people freaking out but my teacher was really calm and we all had to sit in the dark in a corner and be quiet,” she says.

The lockdown order was lifted Monday afternoon after police arrested a suspect and took him into custody. He was then sent for a psychiatric assessment.

Police say Bowers is known to them, while Bryson says he was charged with drug offences and sexual assault in 1994.  

Bowers remains in police custody. He is due back in court on Jan. 30.

Police are still investigating the incident and say more charges could be laid.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Alyse Hand