Robbery Prompts Lockdown of Kamiakin High School – Has Since Been Lifted UPDATE

Thursday afternoon, around 12-1 pm, an armed robbery prompted a lockdown of Vista Elementary, Tri-Tech Skills Center on Metaline, and Kamiakin High School.

We have heard police have set up a perimeter near Canal Drive in Kennewick as of around 1:30pm.

Sources say an armed gunman held up a driver, after getting a ride from the man at a nearby gas station. The victim says the man pulled a gun after he was dropped off and robbed him. The armed man then ran in the direction of KaHS and Tri-Tech, prompting the lockdown.

As of this writing, the suspect was still at large. Suspect was wearing a dark sweatshirt and tan shorts.  More information is expected soon.

Our news partner KNDU-TV is reporting K-9 units are searching the area near Canal, as of before 2pm Thursday.

UPDATE - From Kennewick police

38-year-old Brenda Buckley of Richland and a 17-year-old male passenger were at the Break Place Conoco in Kennewick at Canal and Edison around 12:30pm Thursday when they were approached by a male who claimed he was a friend of the 17-year-old.

 He asked for a ride, and they agreed to give him one.  Upon arrival at Canal and Cleveland Streets, the suspect displayed a gun and robbed both victims of money, then fled on foot. Because the suspect was headed South initially, police placed Kamiakin High on lockdown as a precaution, because the suspect was armed.

  He is described as a white male in his late 20's, thin, wearing a dark blue hoodie sweatshirt and dark shorts. A K-9 unit was dispatched quickly to the area, but the suspect is still at large.