Crime & Safety
Updated: E. Patchogue School Locked Down After Gun Scare
Initial reports of a man with a rifle near Verne W. Critz Elementary School appear to be erroneous.
Update (4:00 p.m.) Citing police reports, Newsday said a man was found carrying a gun near Verne W. Critz Elementary School in East Patchogue, but the weapon was not in working condition and children in the area were not in danger. Police did not release the man's identity and arrested him on an unrelated charge.
Original story:
A South County Central School District elementary school in East Patchogue is no longer in lock-down mode following what appears to be an erroneous report of a man with a rifle near the school, police said.
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It was not immediately clear what the suspect in question was doing in the area. According to Newsday, a call to police just before noon reported a “suspicious person” in the area of the Verne W. Critz Elementary School who appeared to have a rifle.
The school, located at 185 Dunton Ave., was put on lockdown and the road was closed. Following the incident, police reopened Dunton Ave. It was not immediately known if anyone was taken into custody.
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The story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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