Arrest Ends Lockdown at 3 Schools

An arrest has been made to end the hours-long lockdown of three schools in the Paramount area south of downtown Los Angeles, prompted by a report of a man with a firearm near a school campus, sheriff's officials said Friday afternoon.

There were no reports of shots fired in the area, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Deputies were dispatched to the area after a patrol unit reported seeing a subject with a firearm at about 10:20 a.m.

Some five hours later, at about 3:30 p.m., an arrest was made, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lakewood Station said.

The lockdowns have been lifted, officials said.

No information was immediately released about the arrestee. Earlier in the day, authorities said they were searching for a "known gang member."

A command post was established north of Paramount High School as deputies searched the neighborhood. The subject was believed to be in the "containment area," according to deputies.

Paramount High School, Roosevelt Elementary and Wirtz Elementary were locked down, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Aerial video showed a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter on the high school baseball field.

Some parents arrived at Harry Wirtz School for regularly scheduled dismissal when they learned about the lockdown.

"They didn't open the gates, and the staff came out to let us know they're on lockdown," said parent Elida Garcia, who added that a school attended by another of her children was locked down last year.

"It's not scary -- I've gone through it already," she said. "Nobody gets in, nobody gets out, it's safe for the kids."

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