Columbia schools alerted for suspicious person

West Middle School in Columbia was put on an elevated alert Monday afternoon, after police were called for a suspicious person walking across the athletic field near the administration building.

Students saw someone possibly holding a weapon near the school. Doors were locked at the Aslin Administration building for about 10 minutes, while officers investigated the reports. Police said Columbia Catholic was also placed under lockdown.

West Middle already locks their outside doors, because it uses a buzz-in security system. Extra officers were called to the school’s property as a precaution. Students and staff were safe, before the situation was cleared around 2 p.m.