SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah -- Roosevelt Elementary School was placed on soft lockdown Monday morning after police received a report of an armed man in the school's parking lot.
"There is no direct threat to student safety and the lockdown protocol is simply precautionary," said a statement on the Granite School District's Facebook page.
A teaching assistant said the armed man was walking between cars in the parking lot at around 9 a.m., and racked the slide of the gun, according to Sgt. Ken Hansen, Unified Police Department.
"Observed somebody going through cars in the parking lot, he noticed the person had a handgun so he kept an eye on him to keep him away from the kids," Hansen said.
Administrators called police and the school was placed on a soft lockdown, meaning the school's outer doors were locked, but classes continued as police searched the area near the school, which is located at 3225 S 800 E.
"Business is proceeding as normal indoors and students are just going about their normal activities but obviously indoors as opposed to outdoors," said Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley.
The suspect was described as a white or Latino male in his 20s, around 6 feet tall, 170 pounds. He was reportedly clean-shaven with dark hair. He was wearing a tan coat, blue jeans and black shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 801-743-7000.
Read the entire statement from the Granite School District:
Roosevelt Elementary in South Salt Lake is currently on a precautionary soft lockdown due to a suspicious individual seen in the neighborhood.
There is no direct threat to student safety and the lockdown protocol is simply precautionary.
A soft lockdown keeps all students within the building and prohibits individuals from coming onto campus. School is proceeding as normal within the building.
As such, until the lockdown is completed, no visitors, including parents will be permitted onto campus.
Law enforcement are searching the neighborhood and Granite PD is assisting at the school.
Parents can contact the school directly if they have any questions. Thank you for your patience and assistance as we work to keep children safe.
As an update, the lockdown protocol will continue as a precaution throughout the remainder of the day. Parents and visitors will need to go to the main entrance and will need identification to enter the building. Granite PD is on scene assisting administration. ONCE AGAIN, NO THREATS HAVE BEEN MADE AND STUDENTS ARE SECURE. School is proceeding as normal.
