A 21-year-old Digby man is facing several weapons charges after walking near an elementary school with an assault rifle on Tuesday.

Digby Elementary School was placed on a precautionary lockdown yesterday afternoon after police were alerted to a man in the vicinity of the school carrying an assault rifle and a duffel bag.

RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Clarke says officers found the man, unarmed, on the trails near the school where he was arrested without incident.

Clarke says the firearm, an unloaded semi-automatic rifle, as well as ammunition and the duffel bag, were located nearby in the woods.

"He did not have any intent to harm anyone at the school or otherwise," she said.

​Clarke says certain characteristics of the weapon may lead to further charges.

The man is scheduled to appear in Digby Provincial Court at a later date.

The investigation is ongoing.