A lockout means instruction will continue as planned with no outside activities
Due to a heavy Lansdale Police presence in the neighborhood near Pennbrook Train Station, involving the FBI, Penndale Middle School was placed on a lockout Thursday afternoon for 45 minutes.
Upper Gwynedd Township Police Chief David Duffy confirmed law enforcement set up a perimeter around the Pennbrook neighborhood, involving officers from Upper Gwynedd, Lansdale, Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI.
Duffy described the suspect as a Black male with dreadlocks, who is wanted by the FBI. Police said the suspect fled from an Upper Gwynedd officer on foot into the neighborhood Thursday afternoon before 2 p.m.
The reason for the suspect's wanted status is unknown at this time.
Duffy said although police were searching for a wanted subject, police had no information that he was armed or presented an immediate threat to the public.
Duffy said the search ended at 3:15 p.m. and the subject had not been located yet. The investigation is ongoing and the FBI is handling communcations. There will be some police and FBI activity in the area Thursday afternoon and evening, he said.
According to police, the subject did not escape; he was seen by a uniformed officer outside, and when told to stop, he took off running, Duffy said.
The search involved local police drones and a canine team from Montgomery Township.
According to Principal Stefan Muller, the lockout meant instruction continued as planned with no outside activities, and anyone without a previously scheduled appointment was denied entrance.
In incidents involving police activity, it is recommended residents remain in place for public safety purposes.
Penndale notified middle school families via email and phone once the lockout was lifted at 2:47 p.m.
Pennbrook Middle School was not on a lockout.
The lockout was lifted at Penndale at 2:47 p.m., due to police presence moving away from the area of the school. Dismissal went on as normal, with increased security presence.
District officials said police confirmed walkers were safe.
