Updated: Lockdown lifted at Takoma Park campus

Update, 5:31 p.m

The lockdown has been lifted at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College. Police say they believe the suspect is no longer on the campus. The reported sexual assault occurred inside a performing arts center, according to a school spokeswoman. Police are still on the campus, and have closed a part of the arts center to investigate the incident.

Original post:

A portion of the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus of Montgomery College remained on lock-down status late Tuesday afternoon as police looked for a sexual assault suspect, according to authorities.

Officers were alerted to the possible assault shortly after 3:30 p.m., according to a Montgomery County police spokeswoman. It wasn't known if the suspect was armed or still on the campus.

As of 4:45 p.m., the east side of the campus -- which is intersected by Metro tracks -- was cleared, and students were allowed to leave, a Montgomery College spokeswoman said. But the west side of the campus was still on a "shelter in place" status, meaning students were asked to stay in classrooms, and employees were asked to stay in offices, according to the school. A pedestrian bridge connecting the two sides also was closed.

-- Dan Morse