Updated: Rome High, Middle lockdown ends at 3:40 p.m. WRGA: Police searching for man threatening suicide near Ga. 53 and the Bypass.

4:10 p.m. Statement from Rome City Schools:

“Recognizing parents’ needs for timely and accurate information about student safety, we want to share with you an incident that occurred outside of our school campuses. We were informed by local law enforcement officials that they were pursuing an individual around the vicinity of Rome High School and Rome Middle School.

“As per our Emergency Preparedness Plan, we locked down both of these campuses in order to ensure the safety of all students. This action was a precautionary measure, and the lockdowns have been lifted.

“Providing a safe and secure learning environment is a top priority for Rome City Schools, and we take these incidents very seriously. Extensive security measures are in place to help us maintain a safe campus.”

3:40 p.m. update: “RHS has just released students. There was a situation in the area and as a precaution, the schools were placed on lockdown.”

3:30 p.m. We’re getting reports of “lock downs” or alerts at Rome High and Rome Middle this afternoon that likely are tied into the situation below. This note from Rome High: “RHS is in a lockdown. At this time, no students or staff will be released until after all clear is signaled.”

From WRGA Rome police are searching the wooded area near Ashland Park Apartments for an armed man who ran from Rome police officers. Initial reports from emergency officials and scanner traffic indicate that police were responding to a suspicious person call near the apartments when they encountered the man, who had a gun. He threatened to kill himself and ran from police. Police are setting up a perimeter in the area that includes Three Rivers Drive. The man is a white male, wearing a plaid shirt with a white shirt underneath and blue jeans. If you spot someone matching his description, do not approach him but call 911.