Suspicious person triggers lockdown at Mount Prospect school

Lions Park Elementary School in Mount Prospect went on lockdown for about 90 minutes Thursday morning after reports of a suspicious person near the school.

Officials initially put the school on hard lockdown after police were called at 8:26 a.m. regarding a man seen walking in a "suspicious manner" in front of the school, Mount Prospect police said. There were conflicting reports from multiple witnesses regarding whether the man had a weapon, according to police.

The school later shifted to a soft lockdown, during which students were in their classrooms with their teachers and the daily routine was underway.

The lockdown was lifted completely about 11 a.m.

"The police believe there is no threat to the school at this time," Mount Prospect District 57 Superintendent Elaine Aumiller wrote in a statement shortly after the lockdown ended. "We are resuming all normal daily activities."

Police said the man was described as Asian or Hispanic in his late 30s, about 5 feet, 10 inches, and wearing a dark blue knit hat, a dark jacket and dark pants.

As a precautionary measure, a police officer remained at Lions Park for the rest of the day, and officers will be at all District 57 schools for arrival and dismissal for the next few days, according to an email sent to parents.

"The staff and children performed outstandingly this morning during the very challenging episode," Aumiller wrote.