Portage Collegiate Institute was placed under a state of lockdown earlier today.

A note was sent to families stating the following:

"Today at 12:45, the Portage la Prairie RCMP advised Portage Collegiate Institute to go into Hold & Secure due to police action in the community. Students were allowed to move within the buildings but no one was allowed to enter or leave. The Hold & Secure was lifted at 12:54 after PCI was updated by the RCMP that it was safe to do so."

RCMP further informed us that a call was placed to the RCMP about a possible firearm displayed at a residence on 3rd St. SW. Police conducted a search while the school was placed under Hold & Secure.

Officers arrested several people but no firearm was located. After the search was completed, a pellet gun and several knives were seized. the school was notified and released.