Third grader Benjamin Lopez didn't understand what was happening, but he was scared.
"We had to stay in there, not making any noise, he said. "When lockdown was over, we saw the ambulance and police come there."
Fresno police rushed to a report of a student armed and aiming what turned out to be a replica gun at the school office.
"He was clearly distraught, and they started talking to him," says Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto. "Got him to at least stop. He would run a little bit, but they got him away from the school and at the same time, officers from all around the city were responding to code three."
Chief Casto says negotiators and officers had a conversation with the 6th-grade student for about 30 minutes.
The student eventually put down the replica gun and was taken into custody.
"He was not injured or anything like that," Casto said. "We are trying to unravel what kind of a crisis this was today."
Fresno Unified families say the district sent texts, emails and phone calls about the lockdown and police presence, sending parents rushing to campus.
Benjamin's mother, Nohemi, said she's heartbroken her son and his classmates experienced the trauma, but was relieved when she had him back in her arms.
Dozens of other parents flooded the sidewalk.
"They could not tell us anything as far as what was going on, and they should have been informative," one parent said.
"I am just glad I got my kids," another parent said.
Chief Casto reminded parents to be involved in their children's daily lives.
"Talk to your kids," she said. "Be involved in their lives. Be nosy. You are not their friend; you are their parent."
Chief Casto also recognized the work of every officer and how they handled prioritizing students' safety.
As for Fresno Unified, some parents we spoke with were disappointed over the lack of details from the district about the incident.
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