MANSFIELD, Ohio — (Updated with video and photos 7:53 p.m.) A Columbia Gas employee was met with a rifle Monday morning when he made contact with the resident of 36 Randall Road.
According to Operations Manager of Mansfield City 911 Jerry Botdorf, the Columbia Gas employee called 911 at 8:26 a.m. Botdorf said the reason for Columbia Gas’s visit was unclear.
Botdorf identified the resident of 36 Randall Road as David Parker.
The Allied Special Operations Response Team (ASORT) responded to the call, along with the Mansfield Police Department. Law enforcement officers are currently in a standoff with the resident.
Mansfield City Schools Superintendent Brian Garverick confirmed that Malabar Intermediate School and Prospect Elementary School are on a soft lockdown. Administration from both schools notified parents of the standoff, with attention given to residents who live near the standoff area, said Garverick.
“We go about our day as normal, we’re just monitoring who comes in and who comes out,” said Garverick. “We’ll release the students like always.” But, he said, Malabar will load students onto buses two or three at a time instead of all at once.
Both schools have been on a soft lockdown since approximately 9 a.m., according to Garverick.
