WATCH: There were several tense hours for parents, students and staff at Bayside Middle School after a reports of a suspicious man.
A lockdown at Bayside Middle School in Brentwood Bay over a report of a possibly armed man ended Thursday without a suspect being found.
At around 3 p.m., Central Saanich Police confirmed the lockdown had been lifted.
Parents who are going to the school are being asked to pick up their children from the multi-purpose room at the school. Buses are also picking up students.
Relief on faces of parents & students of Bayside Middle School as lockdown over. Police meeting parents @ 5 tonight @ the school.@CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/k8jwjYym2Z
— Mary Griffin (@Mary_Griffin_) March 1, 2018
According to Saanich School District Superintendent Dave Eberwein, at around 11:15 a.m., a few students at the school in Brentwood Bay reported a man was “acting strangely” in the lower area of the school grounds. According to Central Saanich Police, the students said the man possibly had a weapon.
Anxious parents wait o/s Bayside Middle School in Central Saanich. Lockdown keeping students inside. Heavy police presence. @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/sYW6O8Q6Qm
— Mary Griffin (@Mary_Griffin_) March 1, 2018
“The students felt uneasy with his presence and how he was behaving so they reported it to the office,” Eberwein said.
WATCH: A large police presence outside Bayside Middle School after a report of a man with a possible weapon.
Eberwein said the school was initially placed under hold and secure but the status was elevated to lockdown out of an abundance of caution.
Central Saanich Police are investigating a suspicious circumstance near Bayside Middle School, as a precaution the school has enacted its lockdown procedure. We will provide updates as they come available.
— CS Police Service (@cspoliceservice) March 1, 2018
UPDATE: Bayside Middle School is still in lockdown. Please give attending officers time and space to complete their protocols. We understand this is stressful for parents, families and students and appreciate your patience.
— CS Police Service (@cspoliceservice) March 1, 2018
According to school officials, all students were safe and in the building following the report of the suspicious person. A K-9 unit went to the school, along with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team. Police did not find anyone matching the description given to them by the students.
At around 2:30 p.m., police said a Bayside Middle School student was receiving medical attention and no other students are affected.
School officials said parents who want more information about the incident can come to a discussion with district staff and police in the multi-purpose room.