Toronto City Hall was briefly placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after police say a man with a gun was arrested nearby.

Building security asked people to get to a safe place shortly after 3:30 p.m. and lifted the lockdown less than an hour later, according to reporters inside.

Police were called when one of two men walking down the street near the building dropped a gun on the sidewalk, picked it up and kept walking, Const. David Hopkinson said.

Hopkinson said the two men then engaged in an altercation at a building “very close” to City Hall.

One man was arrested and one firearm was recovered, Hopkinson said.

Police locked down the area and are searching for the other man who escaped in a car, “believed to be an Uber or taxi,” he added.

He said no injuries were reported, and if any were sustained they occurred in the altercation that took place.

The area around the building was place on hold and secure, police said.

“Toronto Police are investigating a situation that occurred near City Hall,” the city’s strategic communications sent in an email to city staff during the lockdown.

“The safety of staff and visitors is our top priority. Staff are asked to stay inside City Hall until we receive further instructions from Toronto Police Service.”

With files from Temur Durrani

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