Courtenay Schools Lift Hold-And-Secure After Reports Of Armed Man

There were some tense moments for staff and students - and their parents - at Lake Trail School and Arden Elementary School in Courtenay last week.

A student had reported seeing a man with a long gun in the woods near the school - in Roy Stewart Morrison Nature Park - just before dismissal Friday.

The school went into hold and secure while surrounding schools were notified and police rushed to the area.

After an exhaustive search of the park and surrounding neighbourhood, with assistance from Police Dog Services, the Emergency Response Team and the RCMP helicopter, police determined there was no active threat in the park or surrounding area, and students were dismissed for the day.

The witness described the man as mixed race and wearing boots - she didn’t provide a better description - but police point out the man did not say anything to her and did not make any threats toward her.

Comox Valley RCMP are asking anyone who was in the park or the area between 1:30pm and 2:30pm last Friday to contact them at (250) 338-1321.