Police: Domestic incident prompts brief Newark elementary school lockdown

NEWARK - A Newark man is in custody following an incident that prompted area elementary schools to be placed on lockdown Friday morning.

According to Newark police Sgt. Doug Wells, police responded to the 100 block of Fleek Avenue for the report of a disturbance with a gun. Wells said while the call initially came in for shots fired, the incident turned out to be a domestic incident.

Wells said the suspect, identified as Dale Russell, fled the scene. Russell was later apprehended in the 100 block of Summit Street, Wells said. Wells said no shots were fired by the suspect or police.

Russell was taken into custody and taken to the Licking County Justice Center on charges of domestic violence and aggravated menacing.

According to Newark City Schools, Ben Franklin and Carson Elementary Schools were placed on lockdown during the incident at the recommendation of Newark police.

"This was prior to arrival time at both schools, but some students had already been dropped off," the school district said via a Facebook post. "This was also before any buses arrived at the schools. Staff and students at the schools were taken inside immediately and were safe."