Lockdown at Fall River school lifted after report of male possibly armed with a gun

A lockdown at a Fall River school has been lifted after an incident on Thursday.

According to Det. Sergeant Moses Pereira, at approximately 8:45 a.m. this morning, units responded to the 200 block of Rock Street after a report was received of a suspicious male, possibly in possession of a firearm.

Out of an abundance of caution, the School Resource Unit placed the nearby Resiliency Preparatory Academy in a lockdown, while police assessed the threat.

Once it was determined that the individual involved was not in possession of a firearm and there was no threat to the area or the school, the lockdown was lifted.

The following statement was released from Fall River Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Tracy Curley:

“Around nine o’clock this morning, we were notified of an incident involving Fall River Police in the 200 block of Rock Street. Following our safety protocols, students and staff at the Robert L. Medeiros Resiliency Preparatory Academy were placed in a lockdown. Shortly after, based on police activity in the neighborhood, students and staff at the Westall Elementary School went into a shelter-in-place.

Once Fall River Police concluded there was no threat in the area or at our schools, both the lockdown and shelter-in-place were lifted.

We appreciate the swift action of police, school resource officers, district safety security personnel, and our school staff during this situation.

Thank you for your understanding and support.”