An Esquimalt high school was placed under lockdown earlier today as Victoria police searched for a man linked to a possible robbery.
Victoria police tweeted just after noon that officers were attending a possible robbery near Esquimalt High School.
At that time they said they were searching for a suspect, a First Nations man with short, dark hair wearing a black sweater, blue jeans and a bandana with red flames on it.
School District 61 said the school was on lockdown and would move to hold and secure when it was determined safe to do so. At around 1:20 p.m., police tweeted the containment had been lifted at the school but officers were still searching for a suspect.
It was later learned that a teenage girl who attended Esquimalt High had been robbed at knifepoint on a nearby street and had then entered the school prior to the lockdown being ordered. It was reported the girl's knapsack had been stolen and that she had not been injured. Police were still searching for the suspect.
Nearby Vic West elementary was also placed in a hold and secure as a precaution.