Police lights. (CREDIT: PIXABAY)

The search is on for a suspect after an assault in the city prompted several schools to enter into a hold and secure state.

Halifax Regional Police received a report of an assault with a knife on Lacewood Drive just after 2 p.m. on Monday.

They found an injured man when they arrived. His injuries are described as non-life-threatening. The suspect had already run away.

NOTE: Halifax West, Clayton Park JH, Fairview JH, Duc d’Anville & Burton Ettinger are currently in a hold & secure as an event unfolds in the community.

Dismissal will occur when police give the all clear.
Families are being notified.

— Halifax Regional Centre for Education (@HRCE_NS) October 17, 2022

The suspect is described as a white man, in his 30s, with a brown jacket and blue t-shirt.

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education tweeted that five schools, including Halifax West High School, Clayton Park Junior High, Duc d’Anville Elementary and Burton Ettinger Elementary, had locked their doors due to the search.

The hold and secure was lifted shortly after 3:30 p.m. and the all clear was given to dismiss students.

“Officers will remain in the area as the investigation continues,” police said in a Tweet. “Further information will be provided as it becomes available. There is no threat to public safety.”

Anyone with information in relation to the incident or video from the area is asked to call the police.