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October 22, 2008

Police end manhunt, say city is 'safe'

NEWBURYPORT -- Police have suspended their search for a camouflaged and masked man who reportedly pointed a handgun at a city worker in the Crow Lane landfill.

State police and local police, canine units, and a helicopter conducted an extensive search, which began around 2 p.m. when a man allegedly showed, or possibly pointed, a gun at a city worker at Crow Lane Landfill, where residents and the city dump yard waste and leaves. Subsequent reports placed the man at other spots near Hale Street.

Police have been pulling over and questioning motorists who fit the general description of the man.

No facial descriptions have been released yet. The man is reported to walk with a limp.

Police Marshal Tom Howard suspended the search after 6 p.m., saying the man is no longer in the area.

The search covered a large area, roughly from Interstate 95 to the west, to the Low Street neighborhood in the north to Scotland Road in the southeast. The area includes extensive woodlands, swamps, and fields, as well as an industrial park and some residential neighborhoods.

Police have been going door-to-door, asking for information and warning people that the man is being sought.

Police locked down Immaculate Conception School, Opportunity Works, Nock Middle School, Brown Elementary School, River valley Charter School and Bresnahan Elementary School at around 2:30. The lockdown ended about an hour and a half later, and students were allowed to leave. Parents received notification of the lockdown through automated phonecalls.

The Newburyport Public Schools released a statement at 4:15 p.m., saying, "The Newburyport Police have assured us that the cty is now safe. Busses have begun their routes. If you live in the Hale St. area, please meet your child at the bus stop. All other sudents, including walkers, will be held at the school and must be picked up by their parents/guardians."

Businesses in the area, such as Cabot Stains on Hale Street, were warned by police to watch for the man and to secure their buildings.

Police descended on the Bresnahan at around 3 p.m. and prepared to set up a perimeter when they received a report that the gunman was in the school, but the report was quickly deemed to be false.

There are no reports of shots being fired. Early on in the search police noted it is hunting season, but it would be unusual for a hunter to be carrying a handgun.

Police have been given a number of tips on who the man may be and what his motivations are. None of the tips could immediately confirmed.

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