(Palermo, CA) – The Butte County Sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s help identifying a Palermo Middle School threats suspect.

Last Friday, a group of students on their way to class were confronted by a man who lifted up his shirt, showing them a firearm in his waistband, “and made statements about shooting the school” according to a media release. When the students ran, the suspect left the area. Law enforcement immediately responded and the school was locked down.

BCSO has posted a surveillance image of the suspect online, but they acknowledge the image lacks detail due to the distance. In that image, the man can be seen walking west on the south side of Palermo Road near Melvina Avenue. They are also seeking possible other surveillance images from the area as well.