A local charter school was placed on lockdown as officers worked an active shooter situation just a block away Monday afternoon.

Carol Anderson, associate director of Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies, 326 Thomas Blvd. said they went to a “hard lockdown” when alerted by police of shots fired nearby in the 300 block of 12^th Street. A hard lockdown required the school to get the children inside and away from windows and alert parents.

School was dismissed early and police surrounded the school for protection as students were led to buses and waiting parents.

“None of the students heard anything and we don’t think it happened while they were outside,” she said. “Our school is all about the safety of the students. The protocol put into place went well.”

Port Arthur Police Officer Mike Hebert said an officer patrolling near the Joe Louis Apartment complex heard shots fired somewhere north of the complex around 1:10 p.m. About 20 minutes later they heard more shots fired and believe the incident happened at a home in the 300 block of 12^th Street.

“We went to the rear of the residence and found several shell casings,” Hebert said. “This is directly across the street from Tekoa and we immediately went to Tekoa after surrounding the house.”

Neighbors in the area of the shooting were hesitant to give officers much information but police believe they know the identity of the shooter and are actively looking for him. The person’s name was not released.

The suspect also has an active Jefferson County warrant and police are pursuing him for this as well as being a person on interest in the shooting.

The suspect is facing charges of deadly conduct.

“The reason for the deadly conduct charge is that we believe the children were outside when it (shooting) happened,” Hebert said. “Safety of the children is a priority for us.”

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews