UPDATE: According to officials, Columbus schools were not placed in a lockdown rather a 'secure' status. This is a procedure to keep the schools safe while preforming normal school activities. Exterior doors were locked, students and staff were kept inside through the duration of the secure status. 

 

COLUMBUS, Neb.-- Columbus schools went into lockdown after man with a knife took off Wednesday morning, authorities say. 

Officers were dispatched to the area of 25th Ave and 16th Street for reports of a disturbance and a man believed to have a knife making threats, according to police. 

“When the subject fled the scene, we immediately initiated a search of the surrounding area,” Interim Police Chief Bret Strecker said in a news release. “Out of an abundance of caution, we requested schools in the vicinity to go into lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff.”

The officers were able to locate the suspect and take him into custody and schools were able to resume to normal. 

The investigation is ongoing. No injuries were reported.