ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — Investigators said an 18-year-old with a gun was seen walking near Aliquippa High School on Monday, prompting a brief lockdown.
According to Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker, he noticed the teen was walking away from the school with a gun, so he approached him.
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Walker said he grabbed and tackled the man as he tried to run away.
By the time the mayor saw the man darting and ducking between houses and woods near the school, he had already ditched the rifle which was outfitted with a bayonet, police said.
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As a result of this, all schools in the Aliquippa School District were briefly placed on lockdown.
Around 12:30 p.m., the school district's website said the lockdowns had been lifted.
"The lockdown at the Jr./Sr. High School has been lifted. All students are safe. There is an incident in the community, and the police have secured both district campuses. Please do not come to the school at this time."
The district superintendent told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski that the teen was not a student.
The 18-year-old, who was later identified as Quantai Raines, was charged with various offenses, including bringing a weapon on school property.
Walker said he felt a connection to the young man, which is why he felt the need to step in. He also said that the young man hugged him after he was stopped and asked Walker to come to the police station with him.
The suspect told reporters he does not know what happened, which is the same explanation that was given to the mayor when he was stopped.
“It’s a sad day is all, but thank goodness nobody got hurt,” Walker said.