BB gun prompts Idyllwild School lockdown

A man, possibly with a gun, was reported near the creek across from Idyllwild School at 2:45 p.m. according to a recorded message sent out to Idyllwild School parents and guardians. The school was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

At around 3:18 p.m., the lockdown was lifted after investigators found a toy BB gun along the 26000 block of Highway 243, close to Saunders Meadow Road. No arrests were made and no one was questioned in connection.

At 2 p.m., there was a report called in claiming a man with a gun was walking on Highway 243, near the school, according to Deputy Mike Vasquez, public information officer for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. He said that as a precautionary measure, the school was placed on lockdown.

At 2:59 p.m., Principal Matt Kraemer opened the doors to let parents into the school. Kraemer was putting together an organized dismissal.

A recorded message to parents at 3:18 pm. announced that the lockdown had been lifted and students were allowed to go home.

There was initially a helicopter overhead searching for the alleged man with a gun, but a deputy and CHP officer continued to search the area on foot and the helicopter was called off shortly after.

Updates will be posted as they become available.