Unfounded Reports of Man with Gun Lead to Brief Lockdown at 5 Alameda Schools

Five Alameda schools were put on a brief lockdown this morning after Alameda police received reports of a man with a gun seen at the corner of Buena Vista Avenue and Poggi Street, according to an Alameda Police Department bulletin.

Those reports were unfounded, police said. Witnesses may have mistaken a cell phone for a weapon, they said.

Police located the man a few blocks away, at Fifth Street and Lincoln Avenue, and he was positively identified by a witness as the man she had reported, police said.
Here is the complete report from the APD:

Earlier report of a man with a gun near "Alameda Academy" 401Pacific Ave puts schools on brief lockdown. Man located but gun unfounded.

Today at 0947 hours, the Alameda Police Communications Center received calls about a man seen with a gun near the rear school yard of the Alameda Academy at 401 Pacific Avenue. The man was seen at the corner of Buena Vista Avenue and Poggi Street. 

Five schools in the area (Island High School, Alternatives in Action, Woodstock Child Development Center, Nea Community Learning Center and the Alameda Academy) were put on a brief lockdown while responding officers searched for the man. 

Officers located the subject a few blocks away, at 5th Street and Lincoln Avenue, and a witness positively identified him as the person she called about. The subject was not in possession of a gun, but was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia (he was also in possession of a cellular phone, which may have been mistaken for a weapon). The surrounding areas were searched for a weapon and none was located. 

The lockdowns were lifted after approximately 15 minutes, once it was determined there was no danger to the students and staff at the affected schools. 

The Alameda Police Department works with our school officials and staff on how to respond to incidents such as these. The protocols and procedures that are in place worked effectively today and fortunately no one was ever in any danger. 

For additional information, please contact Lieutenant Rob Frankland at 510-337-8343 orrfrankla@alamedaca.gov

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