Suspicious person with weapon spotted at local high school

On Tuesday February 5, 2013 at approximately 1035am, the School Resource
Officer at the Hope High School Campus in Hope, Arkansas received information
that there was a person with a gun on the Hope High School campus. Officers
with the Hope Police Department, Hempstead County Sheriff’s Department,
Arkansas State Police, and the Arkansas Highway Police responded to the area.

Witnesses reported that a black male, with braided hair, approximately 5’8”
to 6’ 0 tall, mid to early twenties in age, wearing light blue shirt with possibly
a white diamond on the front and blue jeans approached the door of the Tech
Building and tried to open the locked door. Students who were in the hallway
at the time the person attempted to gain entry, reported that the person
had a gun in the waistband of his pants. The students reportedly went into the
classroom and told a teacher about the incident. The teacher made contact with
the suspect and the suspect then left the area walking south. Law enforcement
officers swept all buildings on the High School Campus with negative results.

Officers then began to receive reports that the person may have entered a building
at the Canyon Creek Apartments, located at 303 West 23rd Street, in Hope. Law enforcement checked that area, with negative results.

Officers later received information that the suspect had possibly made comments
Inquiring about the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope campus.
UACCH was notified and campus officials put its campus on lockdown. All buildings
on that campus were searched. The suspect was not located.

As of this time, the unknown person has not been located. The Hope Police Department
has received information that the person may have left the area of the Hope High
School in a small gold-colored car, traveling south on South Main Street.
Anyone having any further information on this incident should call the Hope Police Department as soon as possible.

The person involved in this is a person of interest only. The Hope Police
Department only desires to identify and speak with this person.