Police in Toronto fatally shoot a guy who was observed carrying a firearm near an elementary school.

After a man was observed carrying a rifle near an elementary school in Toronto, police shot and killed him, causing an emergency lockdown for hundreds of pupils.

At around 1 p.m., officers responded to allegations of a guy in his late teens or early twenties brandishing a handgun in Scarborough’s Port Union neighborhood.

Witnesses told local media that they heard three gunshots and then witnessed cops trying to resuscitate the man.

The incident was “contained,” police chief James Ramer told reporters Thursday afternoon, adding there was no future threat to public safety, but officers will enhance patrols in the area.

“Considering the recent events in the United States, given the proximity to a school, I absolutely appreciate the anguish and how horrific this must have been for staff, children, and parents,” he added.

The warning comes as the United States deals with its worst school shooting in a decade. An 18-year-old shooter entered an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, two days ago and killed 19 children and two instructors.

Ramer said he couldn’t say much more about the event since the province’s Special Investigations Unit is looking into it.

When a police officer shoots or kills a citizen, the police watchdog steps in.

READ ALSO: School shooting in Uvalde suspect Ramos acquired two assault firearms for his 18th birthday

Charlottetown Junior public school and Centennial Road Junior public school, according to the Toronto district school board, have been placed on “hold and secure” status. Two more schools were placed on lockdown: Joseph Howe Senior Public School and Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute.

According to a school board representative, it does not appear that a nearby school was involved in the event.