School locked down after shots fired

Sanders-Clyde Elementary School was locked down for about 20 minutes Monday after multiple shots rang out nearby during a reported shoot-out.

Charleston police arrived at the intersection of Hanover and Johnston streets about 1:30 p.m. and found a purple bike in the middle of the street with two spent cartridge casings next to it.

Witnesses told police they heard as many as 15 shots in the area as two men exchanged gunfire while one ran from the other.

As of Monday afternoon, police were unable to find a victim or a suspect, said Charles Francis, public information officer for the Charleston Police Department.

Two witnesses who didn't want to be identified said they heard about five or six shots but by the time they looked out the window, they didn't see anybody.

Francis said the school officials voluntarily put the school on lockdown after officers notified them of the incident. An officer was present as students were let out about 20 minutes later.

Francis said the shooting is under investigation.

He said a man taken into custody near the scene was arrested for trespassing and was not wanted in connection with the shooting.

Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.