Lethbridge school lockdown over man with hatchet nets charges

A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection withan incident in Lethbridge, Alta. that prompted a school lockdown.

A man entered the Mike Mountain Horse School around10 a.m. Wednesdaysaying he was being chased and that he had a weapon, police said in a release.

No weapon was seen and staff managed to contain the man in an empty room.

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The school was locked down as a precaution.When policearrived andtook the man into custody,officers found a hatchet concealed in his coat.

There were no injuries during the incident.

"Drug use is believed to be a factor in the incident, but there is no evidence to suggest the man targeted the school or attended with the intent to harm students or staff," policesaid in a release.

Investigators believe the accused was seen earlier in the day behaving erratically near Father Leonard Van Tighem School.

The incident also prompted a room-by-room search of the school that turned upno other suspects.

The man, who has no fixed address, is chargedwith possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public, carrying a concealed weapon and breach of an undertaking.

He is set to appear in court on Dec. 21.