Toronto police have lifted the lockdown that was in effect for several hours for a building that houses three high schools after a person was allegedly spotted with a gun inside.
Police said they received a call just before 10 a.m. of a male reported to have a gun near Western Technical-Commercial School at Bloor Street West and Runnymede Road in High Park.
Just after 2 p.m., the Toronto District School Board said the lockdown is continuing but that students would begin to be released incrementally by police.
Police lifted the lockdown just before 3 p.m.
“We can’t confirm whether it was a toy or not but it appeared to look like a handgun,” Sgt. Sal Granata told reporters outside the school Thursday afternoon. “This is not an active shooting investigation whatsoever.”
The school shares the same building with Ursula Franklin Academy and The Student School.
Police said no gunshots were fired.
The initial call was that a school staff member at Western Technical was told by a student that they saw a male with a gun.
Authorities said the lockdown was administered in order for officers to investigate the incident and search for the suspect.
The TDSB said Runnymede PS, Annette Street PS and Humberside CI were all placed in hold and secure. A similar advisory at Keele Street PS and Mountview Alternative School, which are housed in the same building, was lifted at noon on Thursday.
Police said the male reported in the incident is described as approximately 18 years of age and is a former student.