Manchester police investigate armed subject report near school

On Wednesday, June 10, at approximately 11:10 a.m., the Manchester Police Department received a report of an armed individual in a wooded area behind Parkway Southwest Middle School, located in the 700 block of Wren Avenue.

The reporting party, a Parkway School District security officer, advised that he encountered an individual consuming alcohol on school district property. According to the security officer, when he approached the subject, the individual removed what appeared to be a black handgun from a backpack and displayed it before fleeing farther into the wooded area.

Manchester police officers arrived within minutes and, with assistance from surrounding law enforcement agencies, established a perimeter around the school campus and placed all three schools on the campus into lockdown status. Although regular classes were not in session, students and staff were present on campus for summer activities.

An extensive search was conducted utilizing K-9 teams, unmanned aerial drones, a police helicopter and officers on foot. The search included the wooded area where the suspect was last observed, as well as nearby neighborhoods.

The search concluded after officers determined the suspect was no longer in the area and that there was no ongoing threat to students, staff or the community. The lockdown was subsequently lifted.

At this time, investigators have not located the individual. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department.