Street Closed Off in SE Cedar Rapids, Police Searching for Man with Gun

(KCRG-The Gazette)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Sep 11, 2012 at 2:03 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 11, 2012 at 5:25 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Several police officers and a police dog have responded to an area of southeast Cedar Rapids to search for a man armed with a handgun.

Police initially responded just before 2 p.m. to a report of suspicious people in the parking lot of an apartment building along Pioneer Avenue SE near 31st Street SE. Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, a police spokeswoman, said one man ran away from the officer, and had a handgun in his possession.

Officers saturated the area and appeared focused on a wooded area. An officer with a long gun has blocked access to 31st Street SE.

Our reporter at the scene was told by police to stay in her vehicle.

The scene is near the former Monroe Elementary School, which no longer houses students.

Check back for updates.