OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (October 20, 2016) – A lockdown was lifted at Oak Ridge High School Thursday morning after a staff member called police saying she spotted an unknown person walking outside one of the buildings.

The initial call came into the Oak Ridge Police Department at 10:52 a.m. The first officers were on scene within minutes and the school was placed on a level three lockdown.

The staff member told officers she saw a man dressed in all black clothing walking by the windows of the Secret City Academy building. She and other staff said they were alarmed after seeing the man act suspiciously, possibly jumping over a fence and several railings, so they called police.

ORPD officers searched the exterior school property while the school resource officer assisted staff inside the school. No one was found. Officers believe the person left the area before they arrived.

After securing the campus, the lockdown was lifted around 11:30 a.m. ORPD officers remained on school property as a precaution while students were released for lunch.

A level three lockdown is put into place when there is a situation inside or outside the building that may have an impact on the school. It is not a full lockdown (level four), but does increase security measures. In a level three lockdown, all students return to their classrooms, outside doors and classroom doors are locked and no one is permitted to enter or exit the building.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is still investigating this incident. All students and staff were safe and secure during the lockdown procedure. No further information will be released at this time.