Vancouver police say they are investigating threats that led to the lockdown of a local elementary school.

"Shortly after 10:00 this morning, the Vancouver Police Department learned that there were threats made that could affect the safety of students at Thunderbird Elementary School in the 2300 block of Cassiar Street," Sgt. Randy Fincham, a VPD spokesperson, said in a statement this afternoon (December 17).

"Out of an abundance of caution for both the students and teachers at the school, the school was locked down and police remained at the school to ensure their safety."

The lockdown at Thunderbird comes in the wake of the December 14 shooting spree at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, which saw a shooter take his own life after killing 26 other people.