ORANGE A 10-hour standoff between police and an El Modena High School employee threatening to kill himself with a handgun ended peacefully Sunday night.

The man, whose name and job were not released, had barricaded himself in a room at the school. Students and adults on campus were evacuated, police said.

The incident began when his brother called the Orange Police Department at 11 a.m., said Sgt. Darrin Hall.

The caller described his brother as “suicidal and refusing to exit the school.”

“He has surrendered and come out,” said Sgt. Jennifer Amat on Sunday night. “It was a successful negotiation. We’re still investigating and will decide what type of charges could be filed and what help he needs.”

A police truck goes into the campus of El Modena High School in Orange on Sunday, April 23, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)

A firetruck goes into the campus of El Modena High School in Orange on Sunday, April 23, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)

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People watch the police officers work as a gunman is reported to be in the campus of El Modena High School in Orange on Sunday, April 23, 2017. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Orange County Register/SCNG)



About 20 police officers surrounded the school at 3920 E. Spring St. shortly after the call came in. Nearby streets were closed down.

Athletic director and former varsity football coach Edward Drzanek said that an official statement will be released from the district on Monday.

“Nobody got hurt and everything is fine,” head football coach Matt Mitchell said on Sunday night after the incident was over.

Staff writer Steve Fryer contributed to this report.