School buses were re-routed in Ridgefield this morning after reports surfaced of an armed man near a local elementary school.
Police officers rushed to the Branchville train station, where someone reported seeing a man dressed in black with a rifle slung over his shoulder. Meanwhile, the entire district was put on lockdown and all buses carrying children to nearby Branchville Elementary School were detoured to East Ridge Middle School.
Authorities searched surrounding neighborhoods and charged a man with breach of peace, but they insist he was only carrying an umbrella.
The lockdown was eventually lifted and the children were allowed to go home with their parents.
The Redding and Easton school districts were also briefly put on lockdown during the search.