MANSFIELD, Ohio — St. Peter’s High School went into lockdown Wednesday at approximately 1:10 p.m. after the principal received a report of a gunman near Arthur Street.
Principal Michael Wasiniak said a Mansfield Police detective spotted the gunman near the school.
“[The detective] said it was my call as to what to do and I said ‘well, we’re going into lock down,’” Wasiniak said. “There was a gunman in the area … He called back and said, ‘it’s clear.’”
After an approximate 20-minute lockdown, the school went back to normal operation. But Wasiniak remained on guard, standing outside to ensure a safe class-change from the Franciscan Activity Center back to the high school.
“I’m just out here in-between classes,” he said. “They’re going to switch classes and I’m just going to show a little more support.”
Wasiniak said lockdowns for the school are fairly common.
“It’s an area that has some drug usage going on. And some selling and buying and what-not. On the south side and also on the north side of the school. So we’re always diligent and ready to act as soon as I get a call,” Wasiniak said.
He cited an incident that occurred earlier in 2015, resulting in the arrival of the ASORT armored vehicle. The incident happened before school hours, the principal said.
