Essex Elementary Locked Down After Officer Assaulted

was placed on alert status for about an hour after a police officer was assaulted Tuesday afternoon on Mace Avenue.

Baltimore County schools spokesman Charles Herndon said the actions were taken as a precautionary measure and the incident did not take place in the school.

"The children are being kept inside but all activities are proceeding as normal," he said.

Essex Precinct Capt. said the incident occured around noon off school grounds.

At that time, he said, an officer was investigating a distubance at Mace Liquors—located a few blocks from the school—when a suspect punched him and ran away.

Baltimore County police spokesman Cpl John Watcher said the suspect is still at large but the alert status was lifted around 12:50 p.m.

Stay with Patch for more details.