The Westminster Schools in Atlanta were placed on lockdown Monday afternoon after Atlanta Police began searching for a suspect who fled a traffic stop on Interstate 75.
"It appears that the school was locked down due to a suspect that fled from Georgia State Patrol in the area," a Public Information Officer said.
According to GSP, a trooper tried to stop a Nissan Rogue going south on I-75 at Akers Mill Road after clocking the speeding vehicle at 103 mph. Officials said the trooper performed a PIT maneuver on the vehicle - which was reportedly stolen - south of West Paces Ferry Road. That caused the vehicle to spin out of control, but authorities said the suspect was able to escape, anyway, prompting the lockdown.
School officials later provided an update on the school's website regarding afternoon dismissal:
Lower School students will dismiss according to the normal schedule and procedures; parents are asked to clearly display carpool numbers during pickup. Lower School students remaining on campus after carpool, including ASK! students, will remain under lockdown in Love Hall until they are picked up.
Middle School students will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m. and can be picked up at either entrance to the Middle School. Students not picked up during carpool will remain under lockdown and may be picked up at the Middle School building.
Upper School students will dismiss at the regular time under security and supervision.
School officials said that all afternoon activities, including office hours and athletics, have been canceled for Monday.
In addition to the lockdown at Westminster Schools, Morris Brandon Elementary School was on a brief "soft lockdown" for about 15 minutes, according to an Atlanta Public Schools spokesman.
Normal operations were not impacted and the school day proceeded as usual.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
