Two Ridgefield Schools Shelter in Place Due to Police Search, Suspect in Custody: UPDATE

RIDGEFIELD, CT— Ridgefield High School and Scotts Ridge Middle School students were ordered to shelter in place while police searched for a suspect in the woods near the school, according to the Ridgefield Police Department.

Police in Bedford, NY, contacted Ridgefield police searching for a man who had been involved in a dispute, which lead officers to school property. After an hour-long search, police arrested the 22-year-old male suspect outside of a home on Craigmoor Road.

Police say that students were sheltered in place due to police activity on school grounds.

"There was no threat of violence to students and staff; however, we felt the shelter in place was necessary due to the police activity on school grounds," Police wrote on Facebook. "We appreciate the cooperation of parents, students, school staff and administrators, and bus company personnel."

A message on the Ridgefield Public Schools website indicated that the schools remained in shelter in place status for around 30 minutes, and that students were "safe and engaged in their classrooms" during the period.

The message proceeded to indicate that busses would be delayed across the district due to the incident, and that school officials anticipated that busses will be 30 minutes late.