Foose school cropped.jpg

Foose Elementary School, as seen earlier this school year.

(Matt Zencey)

HARRISBURG - A lockdown at Foose Elementary in Harrisburg was lifted this afternoon after police arrested a suspect in the area, school officials said.

The school at 1301 Sycamore Street had been locked down for less than an hour after someone spotted a gunman near the building.

The incident "was not affiliated with Foose," said Police Officer Paula Trovy, the police department's spokeswoman. "It just occurred near the school. The school was not being targeted."

Aerial view of Foose Elementary and nearby Hall Manor housing complex.

The principal called for the lockdown and asked for children to be pulled in from the playground about 12:20 p.m., after someone saw a gunman on the east side of the school.

Police officers with a police dog searched the area for the reported gunman and arrested a man for disorderly conduct about 1 p.m. The arrest did not occur on school property.

The school lifted the lockdown about 1:15 p.m.

Officers remained at the scene, looking for a handgun. As of 1:55 p.m., officers had not found any weapons, Trovy said.

During the lockdown, teachers maintained their routine, said Kirsten Keys, the school district's spokeswoman.

"The children area all safe," she said during the lockdown. "Teaching is still going on to keep the kids calm."

Principal Karen Wright said only a few students were outside at recess at the time and they were immediately taken inside.

Teachers kept engaging students, Wright said, so that they were safe and not distracted by the lockdown.

Staff Writer Wesley Robinson contributed to this report.