PARCHMENT, MI (WKZO) -- It was a false alarm, but it’s a sign of the times. A 16-year-old was seen by a bus driver walking in the 600 block of Edison St. in Kalamazoo Township with what appeared to be a gun.

It prompted officials at Northwood Elementary School to immediately lock down the school for about 40 minutes.  That means all the doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms, providing a form of defense from outside attack.

The 16-year-old had an air-soft gun and was found with four other boys who had all gathered for an air-soft recreational activity.

No arrests are planned.  Nerves were rattled, kids were frightened and it was all perfectly innocent.