A lock down has ended at a Central Saanich school.
Students and staff at Bayside Middle School in Brentwood Bay were allowed to leave the school and head home almost 5 hours after the incident began.
The school was placed on lockdown after students reported seeing a man hiding in bushes near the lower fields at about 11:15 this morning.
The students say the man was wearing a mask, and possibly holding some kind of weapon.
That triggered an intensive police search. It's not known yet if anyone was found.
For parents wanting more information about today's event, district staff and police are hosting a discussion at 5 pm this evening (Thursday) in the multi-purpose room.