Shelter in place over at two Fall River schools; 'no threat,' says superintendent

This story was updated to add new information and to add a photo.

FALL RIVER — A shelter-in-place order involving Resiliency Preparatory Academy and Westall Elementary School has been lifted, according to Fall River Public Schools.

The order was initiated shortly after 9 a.m., and according to Superintendent Tracy Curley involved only those two schools.

“We were notified of an incident involving Fall River Police in the 200 block of Rock Street. Following our safety protocols, students and staff at the Robert L. Medeiros Resiliency Preparatory Academy were placed in a lockdown," Curley said in a statement. "Shortly after, based on police activity in the neighborhood, students and staff at the Westall Elementary School went into a shelter-in-place.

"Once Fall River Police concluded there was no threat in the area or at our schools, both the lockdown and shelter-in-place were lifted."

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What happened during the shelter-in-place?

According to Fall River police, at 8:45 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Rock Street on a report of a suspicious-looking male person, possibly in possession of a firearm.

Police said RPA's School Resource Unit placed the school in a lockdown while police assessed the situation.

Around 9:30 a.m., Fall River police had a heavy presence near the school at 290 Rock St. Several police cruisers were observed at the nearby intersections on Locust Street.

Police officers were seen looking through bushes along the Locust Street side of the Fall River Trial Court building.

The police K-9 unit led a dog multiple times along the north side of the building, past parked cars, and onto the property of homes across the courthouse on Locust Street.

It is not known what police were searching the courthouse property and nearby properties for.

Police said officers determined that "the individual involved was not in possession of a firearm and there was no threat to the area or the school."

What happens during a shelter-in-place order

Shelter-in-place orders at one school can sometimes trigger similar orders at other city public schools out of an abundance of caution. The procedure involves not allowing anyone in or out of the building and monitoring all exits until further notice.

"We appreciate the swift action of police, school resource officers, district safety security personnel, and our school staff during this situation," said Curley. "Thank you for your understanding and support.”

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Shelter in place over at two Fall River schools; 'no threat,' says superintendent