Fairfax barricade affects nearby school

Beech Tree Elementary School in Falls Church was asked to go on "secure the building' status" around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday because of a barricade situation in the area.

“We have a barricade situation right now in the 3300 block of Hickory Court,” said Fairfax police spokesman Lieutenant Daniel Gohn. He said that police were called to a house because there was a dispute. “He’s inside the house, not answering the phone, we don’t know whether he’s armed or not.”

Gohn said that the school was secured as a precaution, and that there was no time frame for when the situation would be resolved.

The external doors to the school were locked and classes proceeded as normal during the alert, said Fairfax schools spokesman Paul Regnier. Only students who walk home were being allowed to leave the school; students who take the bus remained inside, Regnier said.

"Our police commander for the school system is on sight, and he’s making sure that the walkers are getting home safely. It’s an ongoing situation."

-- Michael Birnbaum