Norwich — An apparently unfounded rumor of a gun at Kelly Middle School prompted a lockdown on Monday and a search by that turned up no firearms.

The lockdown went into effect at about 1:40 p.m. when a staff member called police to report the rumor, said School Superintendent Abby Doliver.

Police searched the building and the school grounds but found no gun and all student are safe, Doliver said. Students were released from lockdown at about 2:30 p.m. and parents notified.

Norwich police declined to comment while the lockdown was still ongoing. Doliver declined to discuss whether a student was the source of the rumor. No further information was available.

- Greg Smith