photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

A Lawrence police car is pictured at Free Sate High School on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Updated at 4:28 p.m. Wednesday, May 3

A suspect was in custody Wednesday afternoon following a physical altercation near Free State High School that involved a firearm, Lawrence police said.

No one was shot in the incident, and students are all safe and the scene is secure, but police are seeking the help of anyone who may have witnessed the event.

Police said that a physical altercation occurred near the school involving students and another person. During the incident, witnesses fled, and police are asking those people to call dispatch at 785-832-7509 or Crime Stoppers at 843-TIPS.

Julie Boyle, a spokesperson with the school district, said police responded to the area just south of the Free State campus, 4700 Overland Drive, after early dismissal Wednesday. She described the altercation as having been between three students and two adults unaffiliated with the school. All students and staff were safe, she said, but one student reported a possible hand injury.

Witnesses reported seeing one of the adults with a weapon inside the vehicle before it left the area, and police have detained the adults, Boyle said.

A 32-year-old Lawrence man, Maurice De’Anton Thomas Buckner, was booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery. He was being held without bond as of Wednesday afternoon. According to the booking log, the arresting officer was Free State High’s school resource officer.