CLARKSTON (WWJ) -- Two suspects remain at large after federal law enforcement chased the "reported gang members" in northern Oakland County on Wednesday, putting nearby schools on alert.
The Clarkston Community Schools was put into "shelter-in-place" mode, late Wednesday morning, just as a precaution.
A spokesperson for the district told WWJ Newsradio 950 they were informed that ICE was in the general area and in pursuit of multiple individuals. The schools reacted, although they were told there was no imminent threat.
Before noon, the shelter-in-place order was lifted, and school officials said classes had resumed as usual.
In message to parents, Superintendent Dr. Shawn Ryan said he got a call from an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant who informed him that they had been "called to assist federal agents searching for two individuals in the area of Sashabaw and Clarkston Roads."
School officials said, despite some rumors circulating, there were no federal agents in school buildings or on school property, and no students or faculty were involved.
Earlier, people in the area called WWJ to report a significant law enforcement presence, and a lot of police lights near the entrance to Pine Knob, off Sashabaw Rd. and Clarkston Rd.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said it was notified by federal agents that they were pursuing suspects – "reported gang members" – who had fled on foot near an elementary school in Independence Township.
The school initiated a shelter-in-place, the sheriff's office said, and the OCSO "immediately deployed resources to protect the students, staff and surrounding community, and to assist in the search for the suspects."
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff's office said the suspects had not been located.
The OCSO said officers would remain on patrol at the school until all students
had safely gone home for the day.
The sheriff's office did not immediately confirm the detail that these were ICE agents. No description or details about the suspects were released.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates. >>LISTEN LIVE!!