Ross Sheppard High School in central Edmonton was locked down Friday after police received a complaint that someone had a gun. Officers found an imitation firearm, and Edmonton Police Service reported no injuries or arrests. The lockdown began around 12:30 p.m. and was lifted at 2:30 p.m. after police gave the all clear.

Police cruisers gathered around the school, and a loudspeaker informed students and staff to stay away from doors and windows. Students and teachers were kept in locked classrooms with the lights off for about two hours as officers searched for the weapon. A police command post was set up while officers cleared the campus and surrounding area.

One student told Postmedia that officers entered her classroom, directed students to put their heads down and searched their bags. Two students said they were told the incident was a drill to avoid causing alarm. One 14-year-old student said, “I wasn’t scared, I just wanted to go home.”

Police spokesperson Cheryl Voordenhout said in an email shortly before 3 p.m. that officers had found an imitation firearm. “Imitation guns can appear very real, and people, including police, can’t tell the difference,” she said. The police service has launched a public awareness campaign called Fake Gun, Real Danger, Voordenhout said.

Edmonton Public Schools spokesperson Kim Smith said the division was using SchoolMessenger, its urgent message system, to update families and planned to send a letter about the incident. One concerned parent at the scene received an automated alert from the Edmonton Public School Board that read: “Your child is safe. Everyone is quiet and staying out of sight,” the message said. A board spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton that a letter would also be sent to parents.

The Edmonton Journal report included files from Steven Sandor and Greg Southam.

Based on reporting by Edmonton Journal and CTV News Edmonton.