Parkrose High School Staffer Tackles Man With Gun

JAROMIR CHALABALA / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

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According to Parkrose parents who spoke with the Oregonian , that the Parkrose faculty member who wrestled the suspected gunman to the ground is Keanon Lowe, Parkrose's football coach and a former star football player at the University of Oregon. Lowe is reportedly also the head track coach and a security guard at Parkrose.

I coach track at Parkrose with Keanon. As soon as I heard what happened I knew it was him because he would do anything for these kids. It was surreal to be waiting for my athletes behind caution tape today, but might have been much worse if not for Keanon. He IS a hero. https://t.co/9jzaUAfEqg

— Olivia Katbi Smith🌹أوليفيا كاتبي (@livkittykat) May 17, 2019

Update, 2 pm: At a media briefing outside Parkrose High School, Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Brad Yakots told reporters that one person is in police custody, and only one gun was found. The gunman was first spotted and reported to police at 11:48 am, and was tackled to the ground by a faculty member by noon. Yakots did not identify who that faculty member was.

Yakots also said that there is no evidence the gun was ever fired at Parkrose, and that PPB's Gun Violence Reduction Team will be handling the investigation.

Parkrose Middle School was put on lockdown because of its proximity to the high school, but will continue with its regular class schedule today.

According to KATU, one student told his mother that the gunman was inside of the school, and entered his classroom.

KGW has footage of Parkrose students being reunited with their parents at a the K-Mart parking lot at Northeast 122nd and Sandy:

School officials calling out students’ and parents’ names so they can reunite @KGWNews pic.twitter.com/e49pS91BWf

— Morgan Romero TV (@MorganRomeroTV) May 17, 2019

Original story: A Parkrose High School employee "wrestled" a man carrying a gun to the ground this morning, according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).

In a brief press release, PPB said it received a call earlier this morning about an armed man near Parkrose High School. By the time officers arrived at the Northeast Portland school, this unnamed school staff member had allegedly taken the man down.

While it's not mentioned in the release, it's assumed the armed man is in police custody. PPB says "there is no indication there is any other shooter or any injuries" and doesn't know if the man fired the gun this morning. According to a Parkrose High School Facebook post, the school is currently in lockdown and all students are safe.

PPB advises parents reunite with their kids at the K-Mart at Northeast 122nd and Sandy.

This is a continuing investigation—we'll update this blog as more information comes out.