Suspect Arrested After Standoff Led To Hilltop Schools Lockdown

Update 7:45 a.m. Police arrested John McGill, 49, following a four-hour standoff that police say included McGill firing at SWAT officers gathered outside a home. No injuries were reported.

The school lockdowns lasted about two hours and people were able to return to nearby homes around 7 p.m.

Original story:

Three schools are currently on lockdown as Columbus Police respond to a barricade situation in the Hilltop.

According to the department, a male suspect has fired multiple shots near Apple Blossom Lane off Eakin Road. Patrol officers, K9 units, SWAT and hostage negotiators are currently on the scene.

Police say they're evacuating nearby homes with the help of COTA. The suspect remains inside a house, and it's unclear how many other people are inside as well. Second shift watch commander Lieutenant Larry Yates says they've gotten conflicting reports.

"We’ve gotten information both ways. Initially there was nobody else in there, and then we did get information somebody is in there," Yates says. "We currently are not sure if there’s anybody else in there or not. Our negotiators are working on trying to establish that."

West Mound Middle School and Lindbergh Elementary School have been placed on lockdown, while Hilltonia Middle School is on a delayed release lockdown.

Briggs High School has already released students, and a lockdown on its after-school activities has been lifted.

Police have asked for the public to stay away from the area.

This is a breaking news story. More details will be added as the story develops.