Man with Rifle Locks Down Elementary School

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - An elementary school in Prince George's County, Md. was shut down Monday after reports that an armed man tried to enter the school before fleeing into the nearby woods.

County police searched the area around Arrowhead Elementary School for the man who was believed to be carrying a rifle or other kind of long gun, according to police spokesman Lt. Terrance Sheppard.

An officer on routine patrol Monday morning saw the man, wearing a black jacket and black mask, walking near the school with what appeared to be a gun, Sheppard said. The man fled when confronted by the officer, and tried to enter the school but the door was locked. He then ran into the woods.

Police searched the area with tactical teams and other officers. As of mid-afternoon Monday, they had not found the man. No shots were fired.

Students at the elementary school were taken into a gymnasium with no windows for several hours, said Kelly Alexander, a spokeswoman for the school system. However, the school planned to dismiss students at the regular time, she said.

Ten-year-old Tomi Tabler, who was locked in, said "I heard police talking to another kid. I was, like, very scared. I had a friend of mine that was crying, so I tried to cheer her up before she made me cry."

"All the students are fine, all the staff is fine, everyone is accounted for," Alexander said.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)