Man with Umbrella Detained in Search for Seekonk Gunman

The Seekonk Police Department released information on Monday about the report from Sunday of a gunman on Highland Avenue. The following press release was edited by Seekonk Patch:

On Sunday at about 3:50 p.m., the Seekonk Police Department received a call reporting a man was seen carrying a rifle in the area of Stop & Shop on Highland Avenue. The man was reportedly seen walking westerly through the parking lot of the store. Since the call came in near the change of shift, two shifts of Seekonk officers, along with Massachusetts State Police and East Providence, R.I. officers responded to the area.

A cursory search of the area was conducted. An armed man was not located, but a man carrying an umbrella was momentarily detained on Highland Avenue. The umbrella was long and dark colored, but the man's description did not match that of the reported armed subject.

Subsequent to the area search, and as a precaution, seven stores were evacuated and searched by police officers. The searches lasted 5 to 10 minutes per store. Two additional stores were searched but not evacuated. Nobody fitting the description of the armed subject was found. Stores resumed normal business activity after the searches.

We respectfully request that the public be asked to contact the Seekonk Police Department with any pertinent information. Business line: 508-336-8123. Tip line: 508-336-7027 ext. 9 or email Tips@seekonkpd.com