Wamsutta Principal: School was Prepared

When multiple students at Wamsutta Middle School said they saw a man emerge from the woods Tuesday afternoon and one said the man had a gun, principal Karol Coffin said everyone was adequately prepared.

"The school was prepared and all staff and students responded according to our procedures for safety," she said in an email message to Patch.

Coffin said students were outside for recess when the man was first reported. She said she called police "who responded immediately."

Police Det. Sgt. Arthur Brillon said at least four students alleged that a man walked out from the woods, then turned and walked back into the woods. One of the four students reported seeing a gun in the man's pocket.

The school was put into lockdown.  According to the Sun Chronicle, Hyman Fine was also placed on lockdown.

"A lock down is when we ensure that the building is not accessible at any point," Coffin said.

A search was conducted by Attleboro Police, Rehoboth Police and the Massachusetts State Police. The Air-Wing Division of Mass. State Police was used and the State Police K-9 unit was used.

Brillon said nobody was found in the search and area police retained a perimeter for the remainder of the day, and maintained a "presence" as students exited school.

Pawtucket Police also assisted Attleboro PD while the search was conducted, Brillon said.